Alabama Legislature 2017: The eye and the storm

The state’s finances and ethics laws got pushed to the brink in 2015 and 2016. On the surface, the legislative session that starts Tuesday will – for Alabama politics – start in calm waters.

The always-troubled $1.8 billion General Fund – with flat revenues not expected to grow more than $25 million this year -- will get a $105 million shot from the state’s share of BP’s settlement over the 2010 Gulf oil spill. If that doesn’t stop the bleeding in the budget, it will serve as a transfusion to keep state services going, at least through 2018.

“Unlike last year, where I was singing the blues, and unlike next year, when I’m going to be singing the blues, this year we can take a little deep breath because of the one-time money we get from BP,” said Rep. Steve Clouse, R-Ozark, the chairman of the House Ways and Means General Fund committee.

The $6.3 billion education budget should also see an increase of $90 million. That will likely prevent major funding boosts, but it could be enough to pay for major expenses, such as insurance. If that’s not an ambitious goal, it’s one that, at least, doesn’t involve cutting services.

Read more: http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/story/news/politics/southunionstreet/2017/02/04/alabama-legislature-2017-eye-and-storm/97444322/