AL Senate leader says COVID dollars for a new statehouse should be discussed

The Republican leader of the Alabama Senate says an idea to use federal COVID relief dollars to build a new Statehouse should be "part of the discussion." Alabama lawmakers expect a special session later this year to decide how to spend coronavirus dollars from Washington. Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh says legislative leaders gave Governor Kay Ivey a preliminary list of ideas that included $800 million for broadband access across the state and $200 million for a new Statehouse. Marsh says his priority is rural broadband access. He said the Statehouse idea construction idea isn't a top priority but should be discussed if other needs are met. Governor Ivey blasted state lawmakers for trying to limit her power to spend the relief dollars, and threatened to cancel the special session intended to discuss spending priorities.