House Budget Committee Considers Funding Source

A House budget committee has delayed action on a bill to use part of the state's BP money for road projects.  Committee members voted Wednesday to carry  over the proposed constitutional amendment.  The bill would have steered the largest share of projects to coastal counties.  Proponents say that would help the region hit hardest and pay for needed infrastructure across the state.  Opponents argued the money should pay back money previously borrowed from the Alabama Trust Fund, a state savings account from offshore drilling royalties.  Budget chairman Steve Clouse said the Senate turned the BP bill into a "Christmas tree" for the state.