A Statewide Vote Next Month Could Hurt or Help State Budget
By: Jamiese Price
Updated: August 17, 2012
In just a few weeks Alabama voters will head to the polls for a vote that could determine funding for state agencies. The referendum would allow lawmakers to borrow from the state's 'rainy day' fund. Without the funding the state would have to cut another $200 million.
It would take 146-million dollars from the education trust fund over the next three years.
Under the current law -- that money can't be transferred to the general fund. That's why a vote is necessary.
If the vote fails Governor Robert Bentley said he will likely call a special session to find additional cuts to balance the 2013 budget.
State Representative Paul Lee said, many state agencies could feel the effects of those cuts.
Lee went on to say, "Everyone needs to understand if this doesn't pass there's going to be some shortfalls and we're going to make more cuts than we've already done and it will drastically affect in the medical field for example. There are other areas in the general fund, from road work to the prisons that will also be cut," explained Lee.'
State representative Dexter Grimsley said although he supports the vote, it's only a temporary fix.
" We're still going to need to go back and try to figure out how to make sure this problem doesn't reoccur in the state of Alabama," said Grimsley
The vote will be held September 18th,
