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The Alabama Legislature met on Tuesday and Wednesday of this week before leaving for spring break. Although media coverage of the Legislature was limited on Wednesday due to other distractions, the Senate nevertheless voted to concur with the House amendments to the General Fund Budget. The Governor has already stated that he will veto the budget and return it to the lawmakers. Voting a simple majority, both chambers can override the Governor's veto and it is fully expected to happen when they return to Montgomery. Rumors of a special session seem more like fact as each day passes. With only twelve days left in this session, it is unlikely that they will address the Medicaid shortfall before sine die.
The House also should have made headlines with its concurrence with the Senate revisions to the Alabama Renewal Act. This package of incentives is designed to increase economic development at the state's ports. The Governor is expected to sign the bill into law.
Upon its return on April 5, the House will take up the Historic Tax Credit legislation. The HBAA has worked in the past on advancing the tax credit as a way of encouraging redevelopment of historic communities. The way the funds are allocated makes it exceedingly difficult for small projects to compete with the larger commercial projects that siphon off the bulk of the funds. The HBAA will continue to seek a more balanced allocation of the funds.
The Senate will focus its efforts on the Education Trust Fund Budget and prison construction legislation. Once the ETF budget is approved by both chambers and signed by the Governor, most believe all bets are off as to how long the Legislature will remain.
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