Montgomery, AL – An ambitious plan to pump $1 billion over the next 10 years into Alabama's roads and bridges has moved within one step of receiving final passage in the Alabama Legislature.
The bill by Democratic Sen. Lowell Barron, of Fyffe, was approved Wednesday on a voice vote by the House Government Appropriations Committee. It has already passed the Senate and goes to the full House for debate.
The bill is a proposed constitutional amendment and must be approved by Alabama voters if it passes the House and Senate.
Under Barron's plan, $100 million a year would be taken from oil and gas revenue in a state savings account. The money would be divided using a formula that ensures some will be spent in every Congressional district and every county.
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)