Alabama General Fund Budget Heads To Governor
The Alabama House of Representatives gave final approval Thursday to a nearly $2.4 billion General Fund budget for the next fiscal year. The spending plan passed the Senate earlier this week and goes to Gov. Kay Ivey for her review.
The General Fund is less than Ivey requested at the beginning of the session, before the coronavirus pandemic hit, but still about $168 million more than the previous year.
Republican State Rep. Andrew Sorrell of Muscle Shoals was the only House member to vote against the bill. He told the Montgomery Advertiser he could not support increasing spending as the economy slows.
Most stage agencies received the same funding as the previous year, although a few were given more. Medicaid, Department of Public Health, Department of Mental Health and Department of Corrections all received a boost. The Alabama prison system is under a federal court order to deal with overcrowded, understaffed and violent conditions. Lawmakers dropped a proposed 2% raise for state employees.
Almost all Democrats in the House have stayed home since the legislature resumed work on Monday. They say the statehouse doesn’t allow for social distancing practices needed to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
Democrats also say the legislature should wait until later this summer to pass the budgets in a special session when the pandemic’s toll on the state’s finances is clearer.
Arson engulfs Mississippi synagogue, a congregation once bombed by Ku Klux Klan
A suspect is charged with arson in a fire that burned through a synagogue in Mississippi. Flames and smoke destroyed its library, housing Torahs.
DOJ subpoenas Federal Reserve in escalating pressure campaign
The Justice Department has subpoenaed the Fed over chair Jerome Powell's testimony over the central bank's headquarters renovation. Powell calls it part of a pressure campaign over interest rates.
The 2026 Golden Globe awards are Sunday. Here’s how to watch
The 2026 Golden Globes air on Sunday night starting at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT.
National Portrait Gallery removes impeachment references next to Trump photo
A new portrait of President Trump is on display at the National Portrait Gallery's "America's Presidents" exhibition. Text accompanying the portrait removes references to Trump's impeachments.
America’s top figure skaters dazzled St. Louis. I left with a new love for the sport.
The U.S. Figure Skating National Championships brought the who's who of the sport to St. Louis. St. Louis Public Radio Visuals Editor Brian Munoz left a new fan of the Olympic sport.
DHS restricts congressional visits to ICE facilities in Minneapolis with new policy
A memo from Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, obtained by NPR, instructs her staff that visits should be requested at least seven days in advance.
