Free Republic

MONTGOMERY - The House passed a bill Thursday that would require mandatory castration of people convicted of violent sex crimes against children under 12 and would require them to wear electronic monitoring devices for the rest of their lives after release from prison. The House, during more than three hours of debate, heavily amended the legislation proposed by Gov. Bob Riley and Attorney General Troy King. The House bill would prevent all convicted sex offenders from working or loitering within 500 feet of a school, park or business that educates or entertains children. The bill passed the House 96-0. A...

58 days left until decision on tax package 07/13/03 DAVID WHITE News staff writer MONTGOMERY -- Alabama voters will decide in 58 days whether to accept or reject Gov. Bob Riley's plan to raise state and local taxes by $1.2 billion a year. The plan also would change how public schools and state government operate, changes Riley says would improve accountability. Riley says his plan would fill state budget shortfalls that could reach $675 million next year. Not filling that hole could slash state services such as nursing home care for poor people, he warns. Riley also says his plan...