Details of governor’s Special Session call given

Published 11:18 am Thursday, September 3, 2015

Focusing on budget reforms and increases in growth revenue for the General Fund Budget, Governor Robert Bentley on Thursday released details of his call for the Second Special Session of the State Legislature.

“This call is designed for the Legislature to solve the budget crisis that exists in the General Fund Budget,” Governor Robert Bentley said. “Over the last few months, I have met with House and Senate members to discuss options and ideas that would prevent devastating cuts to state services. I look forward to working with lawmakers over the next few weeks to bring about real change in the way we fund state government moving forward.”

The Governor’s call includes three budget reform measures:

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• Transfer use tax revenue from the Education Trust Fund to the General Fund

• Un-earmark certain state taxes

• Amend the Education Trust Fund Rolling Reserve Act

Additionally, the call includes four revenue increase measures:

• Amend the Business Privilege Tax

• Increase the Cigarette Tax

• Amend the individual income tax deduction for Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA)

• Any other revenue measures that provide revenue for the General Fund

The Second Special Session will begin at 5 p.m. on Tues., Sept. 8.