Alabama lawmakers set to return for second special session

Gov. Robert Bentley has called a second special session for next week to try once again to pass a state budget.

Bentley announced Tuesday that he is bringing lawmakers back to Montgomery on Sept. 8. The second special session is necessary after the regular session and a first special session ended in stalemates over proposed solutions to a projected general fund budget shortfall.

Bentley has proposed raising $300 million in new taxes to resolve the budget issue rather than make cuts to state agencies before Alabama’s fiscal year begins Oct. 1. However, many lawmakers have voiced opposition to the idea.

“The start of Fiscal Year 2016 is quickly approaching, and there is still no General Fund Budget in place for state agencies to operate,” Bentley said in a statement. “There is still time remaining to pass a budget that does not drastically cut state services which will impact Alabamians.”

Heads of several state agencies have been touring Alabama in recent weeks explaining what potential funding cuts could mean for their departments. Bentley and department chiefs have been asking voters to call their representatives to tell them to support the tax proposal.

Republished with permission of the Associated Press.