Council Votes 5-2 for Sales Tax Increase, Ending Six Weeks of Political Theater
Mobile's council approved a one-cent sales tax increase on a 5-2 vote. An analysis of how Mayor Sam Jones got what he wanted, what Gina Gregory extracted in return, and…
One Vote Short: Mobile’s Sales Tax Standoff Hardens Into Political Chicken
With an $18.5 million deficit and a five-vote requirement, Mayor Sam Jones fell a single council vote short of a one-cent sales tax increase, leaving three members holding extraordinary leverage.
Bridge or Barrier? Mobile Reckons With Its City Council Super Majority
For 20 years Mobile's mayor-council government has required five of seven votes to pass most measures. Officials past and present disagreed sharply over whether the super majority built consensus or…