Republicans in the Alabama House are backing off proposals to furlough state employees for two days and to suspend longevity bonuses for a year.
Both ideas were considered to help the General Fund budget. But Speaker Mike Hubbard says they aren't needed after a change to a cigarette tax bill.
The proposals drew criticisms from Democrats who say they're pleased to see the ideas dropped.
Rep. John Knight of Montgomery says the state shouldn't balance the budget on the backs of state employees. The two proposals would have raised about $8 million. Hubbard says he is pleased that the benefits will remain.
The proposed cigarette tax increase would raise the tax by 25 cents per pack. A bill amendment reduces a wholesaler discount and will raise another $6 million.
A state legislative committee that killed a tax reform bill on Wednesday passed a nearly identical version just a day later.
The House Ways and Means Education Trust Fund Committee has now approved a bill that will change the way motor oil is taxed in Alabama. It will replace the flat six cent excise tax on motor oil that exists now with the state’s standard four percent sales tax.
Those most affected by the change will be agricultural and manufacturing operations that purchase large quantities of motor oil.
Lawmakers estimate this change will bring in around $10 million in additional revenue for the state. It’s one part of House Republicans’ $150 million tax proposal.
That’s a far cry from the nearly $550 million in new revenue Governor Robert Bentley wants to raise. He recently praised Republican lawmakers for realizing the need for new taxes, but says their current proposal just won’t raise enough money to avoid the need for deep cuts to state agencies.
Some future engineers may be able to say their careers started with popsicle sticks.
Birmingham students got to show off model bridges they built as part of the ACE Mentor Program. The group pairs up high school students with professional engineers. This year’s project is building model bridges out of popsicle sticks. The program works to give students a hands-on experience to prepare for future careers.
Lea Ann Macknally is President of the Board of Directors of the ACE program in Alabama. She says one of their main goals is to see students go into these fields.
“Our focus is on providing opportunities for students to pursue professional degrees in architecture, construction, and engineering fields and we have, we’ve seen these professions, um, they’re integral to every facet of our everyday lives.”
The program will be holding its tenth annual banquet next Thursday at the Alabama Power Headquarters Auditorium. Macknally says hardworking, dedicated students can get scholarships.
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