Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley Criticizes Budget Impasse

BRADENTON, Fla. - Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley told community and business leaders that state legislators must act like leaders and resolve the state's budget problems.

Bentley made the comments a day after lawmakers adjourned a special session Aug. 11 without enacting a general fund spending plan for fiscal 2016, which starts Oct. 1.

The special session was required because Bentley vetoed the general fund budget during the regular session, saying it cut public services too severely.

Bentley has recommended revenue-raising measures to plug a $200 million to $300 million gap, including an increase in taxes on smoking products, rental cars, and vehicle sales, as well as repealing certain tax credits.

"The Legislature has failed twice to solve our budget crisis," Bentley's office posted on the governor's Twitter account as he addressed the Rotary Club in Birmingham. "It's time that they stand up as leaders and pass a workable budget."

Bentley, a Republican, said he has recommended structural changes to provide long-term stability to the general fund, which pays for most government functions except the separate education budget. Bentley signed the education budget earlier this year.

"This is not about taxes, this is about doing something different, this is about solving problems and changing the way we budget," Bentley said on his Twitter account. "This is about people, this is about not closing hospitals [and] this is about funding essential services. It's about the people we serve."

Bentley has been largely in-step with the GOP-led Legislature on policy and budget matters until this year.

A majority of lawmakers have resisted any tax increases, although part of the state's obligation by law in fiscal 2016 is to begin repaying money borrowed from restricted accounts to close deficits in prior fiscal years.

A second special session to continue work on the budget likely will be called for next month.

Sen. Paul Sanford, R-Madison County, claimed that residents don't want tax increases on a gofundme website he created on Aug. 6 seeking to raise $300 million for the state budget.

Sanford told donors on the website that they could pledge an amount they could afford and let the state know how the money should be spent.

The website had raised $1,250 from 69 people as of Aug. 13.