By Alabama Public Radio
Montgomery, AL – Lawmakers were saying it's an embarrassment, so the Alabama House took some action. It approved a bill that would pay almost five million dollars in incentives. The state promised the money to 65 companies in exchange for them coming to Alabama. Representative Terry Spicer sponsors the bill, which would would use repay four-point-eight million dollars from a state savings account funded by oil and gas revenue. Spicer says he plans to offer another bill later to address ways to pay for future commitments. Still, some lawmakers are shaking their heads. Representative Jack Page says it's sad the Legislature has to pass a law to require the state to live up to its obligations. That bill now goes to the Senate.