By Associated Press
Birmingham, AL – Birmingham Mayor Bernard Kincaid unveils his 2008 budget Tuesday.
But the spotlight is still on an unresolved dispute over 15 percent pay raises for police and firefighters approved by the City Council over the mayor's veto.
Jefferson County Circuit Judge Tom King upheld the mayor's claim that the council overstepped its authority. Now unions for police and firefighters have appealed King's ruling.
The president of the Fraternal Order of Police, Sergeant Dexter Cunningham, says the appeal was filed Friday with the Alabama Supreme Court.
The city council had approved the raises 8-to-1. The Personnel Board then agreed that the council had the authority to give raises. The raises were set to go into effect in 2008.
It's unclear when the state Supreme Court will rule.
(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)