By Associated Press
Montgomery, AL – The Alabama Senate is nearing an agreement that could end weeks of stalling and salvage the state budgets in the closing days of the legislative session.
The Legislature took off Wednesday, but some senators remained in Montgomery to try to work out an agreement to get the Senate moving Thursday.
A leader of the Senate minority, Del Marsh of Anniston, says at least the two sides are talking. Senate Rules Committee Chairman Lowell Barron says he's optimitic that the Senate will resolve its differences and pass the state budgets.
Everyone agrees nothing is final. But the proppsed agreement calls for an end to stalling. Then the Senate would take the procedural steps necessary to pass the two state budgets and "local bills" that affect one county or city each.
Still to be worked out is when to pass two routine bills to extend the life of two state regulatory boards. Republicans have been stalling those bills as a means to block other legislation.
(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)