Photo by digitizedchaos 
Alabama Governor Robert Bentley says Alabama will face severe cuts in state services if legislators refuse to raise taxes.
The governor described the potential budget cuts during a speech on Wednesday. Bentley says Alabama could see the closure of state parks, reductions in mental health services, longer courthouse lines, a possible release of state inmates and other consequences.
Bentley says politicians need to look at “what is best for this state.”
He said it is easy for politicians to dig their heels in and say no.
So far, lawmakers have shown little enthusiasm for Bentley’s proposed $541 million tax package.
The governor said he is willing to bring lawmakers back into session multiple times until they approve a reasonable General Fund budget.