The Alabama Senate is headed to a budget vote as they wrap up a session marred by frustrations and disagreements over a hole-filled general fund.
Senators are expected to vote this after on a budget that includes significant cuts to state agencies. Lawmakers failed to reach an agreement this session on revenue.
Democratic Senator Bobby Singleton says Republican legislators should be ashamed of the budget.
The Republican-controlled Legislature rejected a call by Gov. Robert Bentley for $541 million in new taxes to fill the budget hole, repay debts and provide additional money for state agencies.
Senate Rules Chairman Jabo Waggoner says the plan is to adjourn the session after the budget is passed. Legislators say they are largely resigned to a special session sometime this summer.
Today is the last day for parents to apply to the Huntsville City School District to join the new Desegregation Committee. The group will be tasked with reporting on the process of integration in the district.
Keith Ward is director of communication for Huntsville City Schools. He says there’s no telling how long the process will take. But, he says the committee is the first step towards success for the district.
“Our goal is to make sure that every child in every school can get the same quality education. That’s the court’s goal. That’s everybody’s goal. What this does is puts in a series of checks and balances.”
The committee will examine the federal consent order and prepare a report to be presented next summer to the district superintendent, the school boards, and the courts. Ward says the district wants a cross-section of parents to serve on the committee. Two high school seniors will also serve.
High school students with disabilities will graduate today from the Alabama Governor's Youth Leadership Forum.
The weeklong event at Troy University provides leadership activities and lessons on how state government works. This year’s forum has thirty five participants.
Karen Jenkins is with the Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services. She says she couldn’t be more optimistic of things to come for these delegates.
“I hope they learn how to be better leaders, to be better advocates for themselves. I hope they learn how to go back into their communities and advocate for different disability laws that can give individuals with disabilities better access to different things.”
Jenkins says the forum happens once a year and the delegates receive a certificate after attending the week-long event. This year's forum included sessions on career exploration, self-advocacy, and setting life goals.