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Hubbard challenges Senate to pass "austere" budget, Korens Incorporated Plant

House Speaker Mike Hubbard is urging the Alabama Senate to approve an austere budget before addressing any short- or long-term revenue bills.

Hubbard said Thursday taking action too quickly could have "unintended consequences."

The House passed the state's general fund budget with $200 million in cuts earlier this month.

Gov. Robert Bentley sought $541 million in new taxes this year and has threatened to veto any budget that includes cuts to the state's $1.88 billion budget.

Bentley has said he expects to call a special session after the Alabama Legislature adjourns next month.

Hubbard says a special session this summer could provide everyone with a chance to take a "deep breath."

Central Alabama has attracted another new manufacturing operation. APR’s Alex AuBuchon has more on a South Korean company expected to bring hundreds of jobs to the region.

South Korean auto parts supplier Korens Incorporated is planning to build a new manufacturing plant in Alexander City.

Korens makes engine and brake components for several auto companies, including Ford, GM and BMW. The plant will also supply Hyundai, which has a manufacturing plant in Montgomery just 55 miles southwest of this new operation.

Korens plans to create around 200 jobs by 2019 and 400 positions by 2021.

Tallapoosa County officials say the new jobs are a big deal, after recent downsizing at the Russell Corporation cost the region nearly seven thousand jobs.

Hiring will start next year with help from Alabama Industrial Development Training.  Production at the new facility is scheduled to start in 2017.

The Montgomery County School system is about to embark on a pilot program using the internet.

Twenty students who have difficulty attending class due to a disability or other challenge can volunteer for the new cyber class.  All of their studies will be done on computers at home. The only time these students will visit their schools is to take tests.

Technology coordinator Steve Blair says the youngsters who take part will be picked at random…

“It will be…it will be a lottery. For those who are eligible. To be eligible, you had to be a rising tenth or eleventh grader, who had completed P.E. and career preparedness, which are not available on-line at this time.”

Montgomery County studied similar programs in Pike and Baldwin Counties before designing their own system.

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