Montgomery, AL – Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley has signed the first bill passed by the Republican-controlled Legislature. It's a measure that requires legislators to base future education budgets on tax revenue from previous years rather than on projections from budget experts.
Bentley signed the bill during a ceremony Friday at the Capitol. He says the new law answers a promise made by Republicans during last year's elections.
The bill was sponsored by Republican Rep. Greg Canfield of Vestavia Hills. Bentley says it will reduce the chance that educators will be forced to endure mid-year budget cuts during a process known as proration.
Republican House Speaker Mike Hubbard says the bill signifies that Republican leaders in the Legislature ``are going to change the way Montgomery operates.''
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