Bill to Use State’s BP Oil Spill Money for Road Work Delayed

A House budget committee has delayed action on a bill to use part of the state’s BP oil spill money for road projects.

Committee members voted Wednesday to carry over the proposed constitutional amendment.

The bill would have steered the largest share of projects to coastal counties. Proponents say that would help the region hit hardest and pay for needed infrastructure across the state.

Opponents argued the money should pay back money previously borrowed from the Alabama Trust Fund, a state savings account from offshore drilling royalties.

Budget chairman Steve Clouse said the Senate turned the BP bill into a “Christmas tree” for the state.

Clouse said the grim condition of state finances weren’t “Christmastime” but “Halloween.”

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