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BIRMINGHAM, Alabama: On February 7 the Alabama Legislature convenes its 2012 legislative session.
According to State Senator Slade Blackwell (R), there are several topics that will be major issues in the upcoming session.[1]
- Prison overcrowding: Alabama's prison system is 193 percent overcrowded, which is the highest in the nation. Blackwell said the current system must be changed.[1]
- Charter schools: Alabama is one of a handful of states that do not allow charter schools. Blackwell said he would like to change that.[1]
- Economic development and jobs: One early bill that was prefiled would streamline Alabama's tax assessment process. The bill would abolish one division within the Department of Revenue and create a new commission -- the Alabama Tax Appeals Commission.[2]
The session will last until sometime in mid-May. The legislative guidelines allow for a session of 30 legislative days in 105 calendar days.
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