MONTGOMERY, Ala. — The Alabama Senate Thursday gave their approval to a bill which would require state agencies to justify closures of vital services through a public review process before any office, state park, or facility is shuttered.
As the Alabama Legislature has debated how to best handle a projected $200+ million shortfall in the state’s General fund, several executive branch agencies have revealed they would halt some of their services if budgets are cut.
To date, the Alabama Law Enforcement Association has said they will close all but four Drivers’ License offices across the state, State Parks said they could close many or all state parks, and coroner services in some parts of the state would be reduced unless tax increases are approved.
If the legislation is approved by both houses and signed by Governor Bentley, any state agency considering closure of a facility would have to give notice to the Legislative Council, an existing body that provides advice to executive agencies, at least 45 days ahead of time.
The Council would then hold a public hearing on the proposed action, to analyze the agency’s budget and determine whether “closure is in the best interest of the people of Alabama.”
“Taxpayers expect us to protect our state parks, or any other state facility and office, from being shut down overnight, without any warning or out of spite,” said the bill’s sponsor Sen. Bill Holtzclaw (R-Madison). “The head of a state agency shouldn’t be able to unilaterally close a state park or facility without an appropriate public review process.”
The Alabama Legislature convened this week for a second Special Session in a third attempt to find a compromise between budget cuts and reforms, and tax increases to balance the constitutionally mandated General Fund. The House passed approximately $107 million in tax increases Thursday, which were originally slated to begin the committee process in the Senate Friday, but were pulled from the schedule at the last minute.
Senate General Fund Committee chairman Arthur Orr (R-Decatur) said they were pulled “pending stronger confidence of floor support.”
The Legislature can meet for the second Special Session a total of 12 legislative days over 30 calendar days, but the new fiscal year begins October 1st.
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— Elizabeth BeShears (@LizEBeesh) January 21, 2015
