Legislative Recap- Committee Action Tells All

This week in the legislature has been somewhat uneventful with the exception of some committee activity on high profile bills.
In the Senate, the gambling legislation started to make its way into position for a vote by blazing through committee. Not that this bill was ever going to die in a pro-gambling stacked committee but, it did indicate that proponents are getting into a position to move for a final passage of the bill in the Senate. This won’t occur though until proponents of the bill are certain they have the filibuster proof 21 votes that they need. Right now I hear they are about 2 short.

In the House, Charter Schools met the same fate I predicted they would in one of my earlier blogs. Despite a passionate plea from Governor Riley and the State Board of Education, in the end Custer had a better chance of surviving Little Big Horn than this bill did of coming out committee. With a committee dominated by strong AEA supporters the bill was barely explained before being defeated 13-2 as several Republicans joined Democrats in defeating the proposal. Ironically the best compromise to the issue was offered by Rep. Robert Bentley. He suggested implementing a pilot program for Charter Schools in Alabama where certain select areas would be allowed to create the schools. Then it could be determined how effective they were before moving forward and having them locate all across the state. This issue is dead for the session however.

Budget hearings finally got under way in the House. General Fund Committee Chairman Rep. John Knight is in the unenviable position of having to deal with rising Medicaid costs and dwindling state tax revenue. Several groups including mental health advocates spoke about the feared cuts they faced. They said additional cuts to those who rely on mental health services would send thousands of Alabama citizens into the cold. In the end however, cuts will have to be made to services all across the board. While the committee was sympathetic to those making their case the biggest question asked by members was “where do you want me to take the money from to fund your program?” It will be an ugly budget whatever it turns out to be.

After we adjourn today I (and I imagine most other members) will be heading back out to the campaign trail. One of the biggest issues I am hearing about from the public is the disgust with the continuing gambling debate. While many people have expressed opposition to gambling in my district some of those have said they are not happy with the spectacle of state troopers conducting raids on television all over the state. I expect I will hear some more about it this weekend.