The House budget plan that would have cut $156 million dollars from Medicaid is dead. The Senate Finance and Taxation General Fund committee rejected the proposal Friday on a unanimous vote. In its place, the committee brought back the budget that was ultimately passed in the regular session. Chairman of the committee, Senator Arthur Orr of Decatur says he expects Governor Robert Bentley will veto it again. Orr says lawmakers will continue looking for an agreement on revenue. He expects lawmakers will be back in a second special session. Senate and House leaders have been meeting with Bentley to talk about the final days of the special session which must end Tuesday.
ALEA Update
The head of the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency held a press conference Friday in Montgomery highlighting its achievements and stressing the need for more financial support. Secretary Spencer Collier says maintaining level funding at $56 for 2016 would be the only way to continue progress. He warns that a 22 percent cut would be devastating to the people of Alabama.
Storm Survey
A survey team from the National Weather Service has confirmed it was a tornado that cut a path of destruction in Troy late last night. The twister is blamed for causing heavy damage to a Wal-Mart store off U.S. Highway 231, a Hibbetts sporting goods store in the same shopping complex also was heavily damaged. Six people were treated for minor injuries. A second survey team is investing storm damage in central Russell County.