In The Faith - A Chronicle of the Christian Faith

After Gov Bob Riley’s tax plan failed, the Alabama legislature took other measures to rid the state of its financial woes.

MONTGOMERY, Ala., Sept. 25—Two weeks after voters overwhelmingly rejected the biggest tax increase in Alabama history, the legislature gave final approval today to budget cuts that will mean hundreds of layoffs.

The $1.2 billion general fund budget reduces funding to most state agencies by 18 percent. A separate $4.2 billion education budget allows teachers to retain their jobs, but cuts money for textbooks.

The job cuts will be spread across various agencies.

“I think given the revenue available, the legislature did the best they could do. There are a lot of cuts and a lot of agencies are going to have difficult times,” House Speaker Seth Hammett (D) said.

The court system has begun notifying those being laid off, including former governor John Patterson (D), who works as an attorney assisting an appellate court.

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Filed under: Law