Governor Bentley Details Legislative Budget Cuts to Alabama Cities and Municipalities

TUSCALOOSA – Governor Robert Bentley on Saturday met with members of the Alabama League of Municipalities at their annual convention to provide an update on a number of state issues including Alabama’s current budget crisis and the impact to cities across Alabama if the Legislature’s severe cuts are enacted.

“We are facing a tremendous crisis in our General Fund Budget that will impact every Alabama County if not addressed by the Legislature,” Governor Robert Bentley said. “I am committed to finding new revenue so our state agencies can continue to provide essential services to Alabamians. For decades, we have failed to address the way our non-education state services are funded. With no one-time money available to support the General Fund and debts that are owed, we have a real crisis on our hands. I encourage the Alabamians to let their elected Senators and Representatives know that these cuts will hurt the people of this state.”

The Alabama Legislature is considering a proposal that deeply cuts funding for state services. Each state agency was created by law to provide specific services to taxpayers. If enacted, these cuts will put the state in a position incapable of providing many of the essential services of government.

The specific cuts to cities and municipalities:

Closure of as many as 25 Army National Guard armories:

Judson Snead RC (Centerville)
Ivan F. Smith RC (Clanton)
Haleyville Readiness Center
Ervin A Byrd RC (Citronelle)
William A Hornsby RC (Daleville)
MW Speaks RC ( Alexander City)
Frank F. Horton RC ( Anadalusia)
Wilbur B. Fowler RC (Arab)
Eugene Nall RC (Atmore)
Charles A Rollo RC (Auburn)
Calera Readiness Center (Calera)
Ft. Malcom A Turner RC (Clayton)
Ft. HW Johnson RC (Demopolis)
Buntin Parsons RC (Dothan)
Florala Readiness Center (Florala)
Cromwell Pickens RC (Florence)
WC Mulkey RC (Homewood)
Raymond W. Jones RC (Huntsville)
Marion Readiness Center (Marion)
Aubrey G. Hicks RC (Oxford)
Jabe Brassell RC (Phenix City)
Selma Readiness Center/FMS 18
Benjamin O. Davis RC (Tuskegee)
Fort Oscar L. Adams RC (Winfield)
Pete Phillips RC (Ashland)

The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency budget will be forced to close 13 Trooper Posts. Those posts include:

Grove Hill
Evergreen
Dothan
Selma
Opelika
Alexander City
Jacksonville
Gadsden
Huntsville
Quad Cities
Hamilton
Tuscaloosa
Troy

Alabama Department of Corrections will be forced to close two Correctional Facilities.

Ventress Correctional Facility in Clayton housing 1,600 inmates
Red Eagle Honor Farm in Montgomery housing 400 inmates

Cuts to the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources will result in the closure of 15 of the 22 state parks:

Bladon Springs (Coffeeville)
Chickasaw (Linden/Demopolis)
Buck’s Pocket (Guntersville)
Paul Grist (Selma)
Roland Cooper (Camden)
Lakepoint (Eufaula)
Florala (Florala)
Blue Springs (Abbeville/Clio/Brundidge)
Rickwood Caverns (Hayden/Arkadelphia)
Cheaha Park (Anniston/Oxford)
Lake Lurleen ( Borthport/Tuscaloosa)
DeSoto (Ft. Payne/Mentone)
Guntersville (Guntersville)
Joe Wheeler (Rogersville/Florence)
Frank Jackson (Opp)

Closure of the Huntsville Regional Laboratory and Morgue.

All 67 Alabama County Courthouses will be required to cut staff and citizens will experience longer wait times for cases to be resolved.

Board of Pardons and Paroles – closure of LIFE Tech in Thomasville.

Department of Ag and Industries – Closure of the Hanceville diagnostic laboratory.

In February, Governor Bentley presented his budget plan with additional revenue for the General Fund that would avoid the devastating cuts. Governor Bentley’s budget solution includes additional revenue in the form of fair taxes and will cover the revenue shortfall in the General Fund and pay off millions of dollars in debt the state owes. Details on the Governor’s revenue package can be found here.

“Now is the time for real solutions to address our budget challenges. I was elected to solve problems, and I urge members of the Legislature to work with me to put this state on a successful path forward. By working together, we can make Alabama better for future generations,” Bentley added.