3/10/09-A bill in the Senate has come up short of the support needed to give highway spending in the state a $1 billion boost.
The Senate voted 19-11 in favor of a proposed amendment to the Alabama Constitution that would reroute money from a state savings account for roads and bridges. However, that was two votes shy of the 21 needed in the Senate to pass a constitutional amendment.
Sponsored by Sen. Lowell Barron, D-Fyffe, SB279 sought to remove $100 million annually for 10 years from the Alabama Trust Fund. The fund has $3 billion accumulated from natural gas wells drilled in state-owned waters along the Alabama coast.
The Legislature would not have been required to pay back the money.
Barron said he plans to reintroduce the bill and make another push for its passage before the session ends in May.
The state would divide $25 million annually among its 67 counties and their cities for road and bridge work. Another $75 million each year would be routed to the Alabama Department of Transportation.
To become law, voters would make the final decision on the matter in 2010. If approved, the money would be allocated in 2011.

2/27/09-The Senate Finance and Taxation Committee voted 11-1 to advance a proposed amendment to the Alabama Constitution to the full Senate that would reroute money from a state savings account for roads and bridges.
Sponsored by Sen. Lowell Barron, D-Fyffe, SB279 would remove $100 million annually for 10 years from the Alabama Trust Fund. The fund has $3 billion accumulated from natural gas wells drilled in state-owned waters along the Alabama coast.
The Legislature would not be required to pay back the money.
The state would divide $25 million annually among its 67 counties and their cities for road and bridge work. Another $75 million each year would be routed to the Alabama Department of Transportation.
To become law, voters would make the final decision on the matter in 2010. If approved, the money would be allocated in 2011.
For Senate bill status, call 334-242-7800. In Alabama, call 800-499-3051.