Governor Bentley Holds Press Conference to Discuss Special Session

by WAKA Action 8 News

Governor Robert Bentley held a press conference this morning to explain next week’s special session. The legislature is tasked with passing a general fund budget, something they did not do in the regular session.

Yesterday Governor Bentley announced that the special session will begin next week, although many lawmakers thought it would be sometime in August. To that, Bentley says he never confirmed an August date and says he has the authority to call the session whenever he wishes.

Monday, members of the House and the Senate will reconvene to tackle the general fund budget. Bentley says next week’s session will NOT take up gambling, saying the pressure to legalize gaming tainted the regular session. 

Some Montgomery residents say they’re disappointed that lawmakers won’t consider gaming as a solution to the state’s debt problem.

“The lottery, they’d have more people come here and spend more money in the state of Alabama instead of going elsewhere spending their money,’ says resident Ella Fitzpatrick. 

Bentley says legislation will also again be offered that will levy a tax on tobacco.

“That’s going to be bad,” says Allen Hall. “Newports are already six dollars almost.”

And Bentley announced Friday that he will propose a tax on soft drinks. Because the details aren’t yet finalized, he didn’t say just how much would be charged. 

“New tax on sodas? I think it’s too much on sodas right now,” says resident Trevon Sankey. “I think they’re trying to help people with obesity and everything but at the same time, I don’t think that’s a good way to stop people.”

Bentley says he knows Alabamians don’t want tax hikes but he says the alternative is worse. 

“We have been all across this state. Even though the people of the state are not in favor of many taxes or increases in taxes, they are more unfavorable toward cuts, cuts in state parks, cuts in our mental healthy system, cuts in Medicaid.”

There has been talk of lawmakers adjourning next week’s session in protest of the governor calling it in July. Bentley says if lawmakers decide to do that and fail to pass a budget, tax payers will have to cough up another 440 thousand dollars for another special session.

Lawmakers will also discuss how to use the money the state will receive from BP. Bentley says it will be used to pay off debts.