Alabama Budget Committee Slashes State Agency Funds

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) – A House budget committee has approved a slashed general fund budget with deep cuts to state agencies.

The House Ways and Means Committee on Thursday approved the austere budget after lawmakers were unable to reach an agreement on proposed tax bills to fill a shortfall of more than $200 million.

The budget would cut Medicaid, mental health and state prisons corrections by five percent. Other state functions would be cut by 9 percent.

Budget chairman Steve Clouse says no one likes the budget, but it is the reality without new revenue.

Clouse says a House GOP proposal to raise $150 million in taxes fell apart after senators sent a message that they wouldn’t support the tax bills.