Governor Bentley Announces Date for Special Session to Address General Fund Budget

MONTGOMERY—Governor Robert Bentley on Thursday announced the Special Session to address the General Fund Budget will begin on Monday, July 13.

“One of the most serious issues we face in our state is the funding of the General Fund Budget,” Governor Bentley said. “With no budget in place to fund state government following the Regular Legislative Session, the Legislature must return for a Special Session. I look forward to working with the Legislature to fundamentally change the way we budget in Alabama.”

The 2015 regular Alabama Legislative Session ended on June 4 without a General Fund Budget in place for FY2016.  Since then, Governor Bentley has met with lawmakers and legislative leadership to discuss potential revenue options for the General Fund.  The General Fund supports most non-education related functions of state government. For decades, problems have existed in the way funding was appropriated to the General Fund because of no growth taxes available to support it.

Governor Bentley informed House Speaker Mike Hubbard and Pro Tem Del Marsh of the date for the Special Session earlier in the day Thursday. The Governor’s call for items to be addressed in the Special Session will be released Friday.