Politics & Government

Alabama state employees are going to get their first raises in five years.

   Gov. Robert Bentley says he plans to reinstate merit raises starting Jan. 1. State employees got their last merit raises and cost-of-living raises in late 2008. There have been none since then because the recession affected state tax collections.

   Bentley signed a letter saying state employees have been asked to do more with less for several years, and it's time to resume merit raises. They can be up to 5 percent annually for meritorious performance.

Alabama state employees are going to get their first raises in five years.

   Gov. Robert Bentley says he plans to reinstate merit raises starting Jan. 1. State employees got their last merit raises and cost-of-living raises in late 2008. There have been none since then because the recession affected state tax collections.

   Bentley signed a letter saying state employees have been asked to do more with less for several years, and it's time to resume merit raises. They can be up to 5 percent annually for meritorious performance.

Republican leaders from 10 Southern states are meeting in Alabama to plan strategies for making new GOP inroads across the region.

   Alabama Republican Chairman Bill Armistead says the two-day meeting of state party chairs and executive directors concludes Tuesday in Birmingham.

   Party leaders hope to retain all their current U.S. Senate seats and pick up six new ones, which would allow the GOP to take control of the Senate.

Alabama Medicaid officials have divided the state into five districts under a new care management plan that's supposed to streamline the system.

   The Legislature earlier this year approved a reorganization of Medicaid into districts around the state. State Health Officer Don Williamson, the acting Medicaid director, said it was difficult to decide how to divide the counties, and added that some counties could be shifted before the map is finalized Oct. 1.

Alabama Medicaid officials have divided the state into five districts under a new care management plan.

   The Legislature earlier this year approved a reorganization of Medicaid into districts around the state. Acting Medicaid Director State Health Officer Don Williamson says it was difficult to decide how to divide the counties, and added that some counties could be shifted before the map is finalized Oct. 1.