The Alabama Senate on Thursday voted 29-1 to pass a $2.70 billion general fund budget for fiscal year 2023, which would be the largest general fund in state history.
Branch funding allocation of the proposed FY2023 budget as follows:
- Executive: $2,297,963,806
- Judicial: $185,214,276
- Legislative: $43,926,548
- Other: $169,723,724
In addition to the budget paying off all funds borrowed to the Alabama Trust Fund, the budget increases overall funding for mental health services and allocates dollars for two new crisis diversion centers. The budget also provides a cost-of-living adjustment for state employees and sends money back to taxpayers.
A comprehensive breakdown of the Senate-approved general fund budget may be accessed here.
State Sen. Greg Albritton (R-Atmore), chair of the Senate Finance Taxation and General Fund Committee, advised that the state government’s financial health has never been more sound.
“The state of Alabama has never had a more sound financial basis than we do right now,” proclaimed Albritton. “After a decade of implementing several conservative measures and making drastic modifications to the budget process, we are financially one of the top states in the nation, and that is something that all Alabamians can be immensely proud of. Many states across the country cannot say the same for their financial standing, especially after facing difficult challenges brought on by the unforeseen health pandemic.”
Alabama’s financial soundness can be attributed to the Republican majority’s fiscally conservative approach to budgeting, according to Albritton.
“Because of the fiscal responsibility and budgetary discipline methods we have executed under Republican control of the legislature, Alabama has dramatically transformed for the better and is positioned to tackle any problems that may come our way,” added the senator. “Not only are we adequately resourced to take on these issues, but we are well-equipped to address ongoing problems, even crises, that have yet to be seriously handled, like reforming our prison system.”
Albritton concluded, “This budget proposal will help resolve several significant matters, and one that I am most proud of is that we will be able to pay off every penny borrowed from ourselves and the people of Alabama through the Alabama Trust Fund, in full and ahead of schedule. We can finally say that we kept our pledge by repaying these funds. In our efforts, we are attempting to serve the people of Alabama in the best fiscal way possible, and it clearly seems to be working.”
Senate President Pro Tem Greg Reed (R-Jasper) applauded Albritton on his committee’s work in crafting a budget that received significant bipartisan support from the upper chamber’s membership.
“I am proud to support this General Fund budget package, which represents not only the largest General Fund budget in Alabama’s history but also importantly continues the Senate’s record of fiscal conservatism and responsibility,” stated Reed. “The budget we passed today on the Senate floor will ensure that all prior Alabama Trust Fund withdrawals are fully repaid by the end of Fiscal Year 2023. This legislative package also does an exemplary job of prioritizing appropriations to support hardworking Alabama families, state employees and retirees, and small businesses.”
The Senate leader concluded, “From a sizable increase in mental health funding to accomplishing fully funding the General Fund’s Budget Reserve Fund, this is a great day for Alabama. I would like to thank Chairman Greg Albritton, the Finance and Taxation General Fund committee members, and my colleagues for their diligence, input, and hard work throughout the budget process. Chairman Albritton continues to provide thorough leadership for our members and our state in his role spearheading the General Fund.”
Senate Majority Leader Clay Scofield (R-Guntersville) commended the body’s GOP Caucus for its support of fiscally conservative policies that he asserted had placed the state on strong financial footing.
“Chairman Albritton worked exceptionally hard to get this budget on the Senate floor so early on in the session, and I applaud him for his tireless effort to take our state forward and provide for Alabamians,” stated Scofield. “This proposal and all that it will accomplish is a direct example of the conservative techniques and approaches taken by Republicans over the last decade and emphasizes the fruits of our labor. I am proud of the fiscally responsible strategies we have applied under Republican leadership, and I am confident that by continuing down this path, we will further enhance Alabama’s financial standing and resources.”
The historic budget proposal now heads to the Alabama House of Representatives for debate.
Dylan Smith is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @DylanSmithAL
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