State lawmakers spend millions on Alabama House

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — Alabama lawmakers have spent more than $2 million to make renovations at the State House in the past three years. Some lawmakers told The Montgomery Advertiser most of the expenses were related to routine maintenance of an aging building. Parts of the costs include a cooling system, flooring and a new roof. Republican House Speaker Mike Hubbard says State House renovations have been done efficiently, and chairman of the Legislative Building Authority, Sen. Cam Ward, says none of the work done to the building was extravagant. Hubbard says the Legislature isn't going to spend $200 million or more to construct a new building and would rather use the money to make gradual repairs.