MONTGOMERY, Ala, (AP) — Alabama lawmakers have agreed to give Gov. Kay Ivey a large amount of control over the state’s $1.8 billion in coronavirus relief funds.
Lawmakers approved an executive amendment on a spending bill that deposits the money into several broad categories such as $300 million to reimburse state agencies for coronavirus expenses and $250 million to local governments.
The administration will decide how to use the money. Legislative leaders will get advance notice of large expenditures but have no power to stop it. The money can only be shifted to different categories with approval of a committee of legislative leaders.