Lawmakers Approve Oil Spill Bill, End Session
Alabama lawmakers have decided how to spend the state’s settlement money from the 2010 oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.
State senators on Wednesday voted 22-8 for a compromise plan to use the money for a mixture of paying debts, funding Medicaid and building roads in coastal Alabama.
The bill now moves to Gov. Robert Bentley for his signature. The plan, if signed into law by the governor, will steer $400 million to repay state debt, $120 million to road projects and $120 million to Medicaid.
The approval came after two days of contentious debate and deadlock over how to spend the money. Some lawmakers pushed to steer more money to Medicaid, saying that was the more pressing need.
Senators adjourned the special session after approving the bill.
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