By Alabama Public Radio
Montgomery, AL – Montgomery County Circuit Judge Johnny Hardwick is considering a request to stop the legislature's new community services grant program. Attorney General candidate Mark Montiel says the program is unconstitutional. A spokesman for Governor Bob Riley says he also believes the new program violates state law, and he won't release any state checks until the matter is decided. Montiel also challenged the old version of the program, which allows lawmakers to spend money for projects in their home districts. The Alabama Supreme Court struck down that program last year. But lawmakers passed a new version this year and rejected the governor's veto to approve it.