The Alabama Legislature ended its 28th legislative day this week. A strange air of camaraderie seemed to permeate the statehouse as both chambers enjoyed a fairly cordial week.
The House passed the $800 million prison construction bill on Thursday after an extended debate. The construction of the new prisons would be financed by a bond issue and would reduce the prison occupancy rate from 183% of capacity to 125% of capacity. Previous reform measures are expected to further reduce the overcrowding. A number of speakers expressed concerns of building new prisons before reform measures had a chance to work while others saw problems with building prisons that would be overcrowded on day one of their operation.
The House was also able pass a plan to pay off the rainy day fund, rebuild "bloody 98" in Mobile, and complete the Orange Beach Expressway in Baldwin County all using the BP settlement money. The BP money was set up to be paid off over a number of years and would be roughly $1 billion. In an effort to monetize the payments, the state will go to a bond company and exchange the $1 billion worth of payments for a lump sum of $653 million. The joke on the fifth floor was for the Governor to call JG Wentworth because "it's our money and we need it now!"
The final act of the week was the House passage of Senator Billy Beasley's (D-Clayton) effort to designate the Lane Cake as the official state dessert. Among the many delicious desserts that are enjoyed in Alabama, Lane Cake seldom makes the list. Although the HBAA did not take sides in whether this cake is worthy, it is worth further investigation.
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