Montgomery police are investigating a bank robbery that occurred Wednesday morning. It happened in the 11 o'clock hour at the BBVA Compass bank on East Patton Avenue in the Normandale Shopping Center. Police say the male suspect apparently showed a gun, but on one was injured in the incident. Few details are available. There's been no word of an arrest yet.
Finance Report
Acting State Finance Director Bill Newton sat down with reporters Wednesday to outline Governor Robert Bentley's proposed budgets. He said there are few differences in the spending plans for the current fiscal year and the next. Bentley's General Fund budget for the next fiscal year would spend $1.8 billion. The biggest increase is $70 million for Medicaid.
Golden Dragon
A focal point of Governor Robert Bentley's State of the State address Tuesday night was the Golden Dragon Cooper Plant that is scheduled to open soon in Wilcox County. The governor used the plant to illustrate his commitment to job creation in Alabama. WVAS News talked to Wilcox County Development Authority manager George Alford about prospects for the region. Alford says the plant has created excitement in the community about future prospects.
Legislative Lobbyists
A bill designed to tighten regulations on lawmakers becoming legislative lobbyists is on its way to quick approval in the state Senate. Republican Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh, of Anniston, got the Senate Constitution and Elections Committee to approve his bill 7-0 Wednesday. Marsha says he plan to have the bill atop the Senate's work agenda Thursday. State law prohibits former House representatives from lobbying in the House for two years. Likewise, a senator who leaves the Senate can't lobby the Senate for two years. Marsh's bill would prohibit anyone who leaves the Legislature from lobbying either chamber of the Legislature for at least two years.