Republican leaders in the Senate and House of Representatives are pushing legislation to control government spending and cut waste.

Speaker of the House Mike Hubbard, R-Auburn, applauded House passage of HB257 Thursday, which would create the Joint Legislative Committee on Government Oversight and Accountability.

"We owe it to the people of Alabama to ensure that the funds we appropriate are being spent as intended and that the legislation we pass is being carried out as envisioned," Hubbard said. "The Legislature is constitutionally responsible for making appropriations, and it is our obligation to ensure that government is operating as transparently and efficiently as possible. This committee will be tasked with ensuring that taxpayers have several sets of eyes and ears closely monitoring how their tax dollars are being utilized at all times."

HB257 is sponsored by Rep. John Knight, D-Montgomery. It has been referred to the Senate Committee on Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development.

Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh, R-Anniston, also is looking to rein in spending in the troubled General Fund budget. He introduced SB476 last week proposing a constitutional amendment to cap appropriations for Medicaid and the Department of Corrections.

"Because of the budget situation, we have been forced to take a deep dive into the issues with the General Fund and look at ways to make deliverable changes in the way we spend taxpayer money," Marsh said in a statement. "This bill gives both Medicaid and Corrections room to grow from their current allocations but caps the amount so we can begin to control spending within those two programs."

SB476 proposes limiting Medicaid to 10 percent of the total appropriations in the General Fund and education budgets. Corrections would be capped at 5.5 percent.

Currently, Medicaid makes up about 9 percent of the state's total discretionary spending, and corrections makes up 5.1 percent.

Meanwhile, Sen. Gerald Dial, R-Lineville, on Thursday proposed a constitutional amendment to eliminate all earmarks and create a unified appropriations bill. SB502 "would eliminate all requirements that limit the appropriation or spending of state revenues in a particular manner." If approved by voters, the bill would go into effect Jan. 1, 2017. Cosponsors of SB502 include Sens. Dial; Paul Sanford, R-Huntsville; Greg Albritton, R-Range; Paul Bussman, R-Cullman; Marsh; Jim McClendon, R-St. Clair Springs; Phil Williams, R-Gadsden; Jimmy Holley, R-Elba; and Tim Melson, R-Florence.  

Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, also introduced a bill Thursday to adjust the distribution of tax revenue to the General Fund and Education Trust Fund budgets. SB496 would split use taxes equally between the two budgets, providing greater opportunity for revenue growth in the General Fund.

 

Alabama Farmers Federation Executive Director Paul Pinyan said it's encouraging to see legislators considering ways to balance the budgets that don't involve raising taxes or expanding gambling.

"While the anticipated shortfall in the General Fund is challenging for the governor, Legislature and voters, it creates opportunity to examine spending, identify priorities for government and improve accountability," Pinyan said. "We appreciate the governor and Legislature exploring these options. In order to provide long-term stability in the General Fund, we must control spending and address earmarking. Raising taxes and expanding gambling are temporary fixes that would hurt families and stifle the economy."