Senate Committee Moves Budget, Plans Lighter Cuts

WAKA Action 8 News,
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by WAKA Action 8 News

The new state budget bill passed another important hurdle earlier.

As lawmakers get closer to finding a budget solution, not everyone is happy with their methods.

This could be the final week of the special session. As taxes become more integral part of the solution, some feel like politicians lied to them.
 

The house passed budget made it’s way in front of a senate committee for a small debate before passing, ready to hit the senate floor. 

Leaders didn’t make any changes, but they say this isn’t the same budget they plan on passing back to house members. 

“The best case scenario is we end up getting a budget that level funds the big five, now that we’ve included courts. That it keeps our medicaid program working, our prison reform working. It still has a 4-5 percent cut for other agencies,” said Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh.
 

That cut is a big change from the near 10 percent in the house version.

This idea hinges on several taxes, including moving part of a use tax from the education budget. But if that plan passes, it would leave out many of the other tax ideas, including car title taxes.

“It’s a beginning, it’s a shift in tax policy. It allows for the first time in a long time for the general fund to have actual growth tax,” said Sen. Marsh.
 
But some don’t want any change in the state’s tax policy. 
 
Several groups led by the Alabama Consitution Party rallied on the capitol steps to oppose any new taxes. 
 
“We feel betrayed. Just like the federal government we elect what we think are fiscally conservative representatives and then they go to Washington and betray us by raising taxes and looking for more revenue just like now. Montgomery is such a microcosm of what’s happening at the federal level,” said Keith Sullivan, one of the organizers. 
 
Any of these plans would still have to have governor Bentley’s signature. But lawmakers could override that with a simple majority in both houses.
Categories: Montgomery Metro, News

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