Bentley Outlines Options If Voters Turn Down Budget Plan

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By CBS 8 News

Story Created: Jun 19, 2012 at 2:09 PM CDT

Story Updated: Jun 19, 2012 at 4:15 PM CDT

Gov. Robert Bentley says he will likely be forced to make double-digit spending cuts if voters reject a constitutional amendment that would let him balance the state's General Fund budget by taking money out of a state savings account.

Bentley told a Montgomery civic club Tuesday that more spending reductions aren't a good plan. And he's cautiously optimistic voters will approve taking $146 million from the Alabama Trust Fund annually for three years.

Bentley says he may be forced to call a special legislative session if the constitutional amendment fails Sept. 18 and budget cuts cause state programs to crash.

Bentley says "everything will be on the table" for the special session, including raising fees and eliminating tax breaks.

(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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