A House budget committee has approved a general fund budget with deep cuts to state agencies. The spending plan was approved Thursday after lawmakers were unable to reach an agreement on proposed tax bills to fill a shortfall of more than $200 million. After the committee's action, Governor Robert Bentley visited the Alabama Statehouse to voice his displeasure promising to veto if the the House Budget make it to his desk in its current state.
Casino and Lottery Bill
A lottery and casino bill has cleared its first hurdle in the Alabama Legislature. The Senate Tourism and Marketing Committee approved it Thursday on a 5-3 vote. The legislation would authorize a state lottery and Las Vegas-style casinos at four existing state dog tracks. Republican Senate leader Del Marsh says it's a better alternative that raising taxes. Fellow Republican Senator Trip Pittman of Daphne says gambling is a poor choice as a method to solve the state's budget crisis.
Facebook Killing
An Autauga County man is headed to state prison for killing a Montgomery man in a dispute over a Facebook posting. Autauga County prosecutors said 24-year-old Trebell McCall of County Road 2 will serve a 25 year prison term after he pleaded guilty in April to the murder of 28-year-old Dandrell Harris of Montgomery. McCall was sentenced Wednesday. Court records showed the victim was shot 12 times in March 2014 at a party in Autaugaville. Testimony indicated the fatal shooting stemmed from a dispute over a Facebook post.
Late-Term Abortions
The six Republicans in Alabama's U.S. House delegation joined the majority Wednesday in approving legislation to ban late-term abortions. But passage required dropping rape provisions that provoked a rebellion by female GOP lawmakers in January. The near party-line 242-184 vote was a victory for abortion opponents. The measure faces an uncertain future in the U.S. Senate.