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Headlines : Alabama
More cuts likely in alternative Alabama budget
Top lawmakers said the state operating budget they're drafting as an alternative to one proposed by Gov. Robert Bentley likely will chop General Fund spending for non-education agencies next year more than Bentley proposed.
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Headlines : Alabama
Officials say state budgets dismal; layoffs possible
The Legislative Fiscal Office told lawmakers at a budget briefing that they project a shortfall of $170 million in the current General Fund budget. Next year's budget looks even worse, with a projected shortfall of $366 million, a 29 percent year-to-year dropA
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Headlines : Alabama
Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley warns of 'tough' state budget
Gov. Robert Bentley on Wednesday said he will not try to shift money from the Education Trust Fund to the General Fund next year, will not propose tax increases and expects to propose a "tough" operating budget for non-education agencies.
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Headlines : Alabama
Bentley wants unified education, general fund budgets
Gov. Robert Bentley is planning an ambitious second year, starting with asking the Legislature to pass a constitutional amendment combining Alabama's two state budgets into one and allowing some money now allocated for education to be spent on state agencies.
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Headlines : Alabama
Bentley: Budget problems worse
"The General Fund will never get any better. We'll always fight over funding the General Fund," he said. "Medicaid is important, the police force is important, the court system is important."
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Gov. Robert Bentley
State Capitol
600 Dexter Avenue
Montgomery, AL 36130-2751
Phone: (334) 242-7100
Fax: (334) 242-0937
http://www.governor.state.al.us/
Marquita Davis, Director of Finance
Alabama State Capitol
600 Dexter Ave., Suite N-105
Montgomery, AL 36130
Phone (334) 242-7230
Phone (334) 242-7230
Fax: (334) 242-3776
http://www.budget.alabama.gov
Rep. John Knight, Jr. (D), Chair, House Government Appropriations Committee, (334) 229-4286
Rep. Jack Page (D), Vice-Chair, House Government Appropriations Committee, (334) 242-7742, reppage@bellsouth.net
Sen. Roger Bedford (D), Chair, Senate Finance & Taxation General Fund Committee, (334) 242-7862, senbedford@aol.com
Sen. Tom Butler (D), Vice-Chair, Senate Finance & Taxation General Fund Committee, (334) 242-7854, senbutler@aol.com
Sen. Ted Little (D), Chair, Senate Committee on Fiscal Responsibility and Accountability, (334) 242-7865, tedlittle@mindspring.com
2012 Legislative Calendar: Regular Session convenes February 7, adjourns mid May.
The current state budget can be found here.
Alabama is required to pass a "balanced budget." The Constitution of 1901 has numerous amendments addressing the call for a balanced budget. Of particular note is Amendment No. 26, ratified in 1993, which calls for a proration of state funds when the revenues actually received are less than the obligations appropriated by the legislature and approved by the governor. Moreover, the law calls for the fine and imprisonment of anyone violating this provision. Section 41-4-90 of the State law charges the Governor with watching drafts from the various state funds, and is mandated to restrict disbursements if they would cause an overdraft or a deficit. Alabama law forbids the carrying over of a deficit from one year to the next.
Individual major funds include: General Fund, Alabama Trust Fund, Education Trust Fund, Public Road and Bridge Fund, Public Welfare Trust Fund, and Alabama Medicaid Fund. The State budgets three funds: the General Fund, the Education Trust Fund, and the Earmarked Funds. It is not clear what is included in "Earmarked Funds." The Budgetary Comparison Schedules are missing several pieces of information needed for analysis, such as the net transactions, beginning balances, and ending balances. [from the Institute for Truth in Accounting]
Find the state's bond ratings here.
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Unions :
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HEADLINES: Alabama
RSA wants teacher benefits plan revised by Alabama Education Department
An Alabama Education Department proposal to save money long-term calls for requiring new teachers to have 30 years of experience to retire, up from 25 years.
Pensions :
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SOLUTIONS: Alabama
A Small Price to Pay for Public Pensions
If state and education employees really want fairness, they can certainly keep more of their monthly paychecks, reduce contributions to their retirement and switch to a sensible defined contribution plan like the lion's share of Alabamians.
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HEADLINES: Alabama
Chapter 9 Weighed in Pension Woes
The stakes are high for taxpayers, public workers and bondholders, as concerns escalate about whether governments can pay their debts.
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Solutions: Alabama
A Small Price to Pay for Public Pensions
If state and education employees really want fairness, they can certainly keep more of their monthly paychecks, reduce contributions to their retirement and switch to a sensible defined contribution plan like the lion's share of Alabamians.
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Solutions: Alabama
Charter Schools in Alabama
Charter schools are independent public schools authorized through a charter agreement with a
sponsor--usually a school district, state governmental body, or university. Unlike traditional public
schools, charter schools are overseen by a governing board of parents and members of the local
community.
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Alabama
A Small Price to Pay for Public Pensions
If state and education employees really want fairness, they can certainly keep more of their monthly paychecks, reduce contributions to their retirement and switch to a sensible defined contribution plan like the lion's share of Alabamians.
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Alabama
Chapter 9 Weighed in Pension Woes
The stakes are high for taxpayers, public workers and bondholders, as concerns escalate about whether governments can pay their debts.
