Since there was surplus revenue in the state budgets last year, there has been discussion among Alabama lawmakers on what to do with the extra money.
Last week, Gov. Kay Ivey reiterated her support for spending those extra dollars on some kind of tax rebate.
“So we are working hard to be sure that if we do give some rebates back that it’s an amount sufficient to make people realize that they got some of their money back,” Ivey said. “That’s important. I don’t want to just give them a token amount.”
The idea was first introduced by State Sen. Arthur Orr (R-Decatur) last year.
Friday on WVNN’s “The Yaffee Program,” State Rep. David Cole (R-Madison) talked about his support for some money going back to taxpayers.
“Anytime you can give the taxpayer money back, that’s a great positive victory,” Cole said. “In talking to some of my colleagues that have been around a while, they still remember when Alabama’s budget was in a deficit by a billion dollars, and they have come through that with frugal spending, quality legislation, and now we’re at a great place for Alabama.”
Cole believes any kind of tax rebate could help Alabamians who are still struggling to deal with inflation in the economy.
“I think giving people back their money is key and it’s a good government policy,” he said. “You don’t want to continue to have the people pay taxes and have it grow and grow and grow and grow in the Treasury when, if you read the room, inflation is really hurting us.
“And I know that’s more of a federal thing, but anything the state can do to help its citizens, that’s critical to consider.”
As a newly elected member of the Alabama House of Representatives, Cole said he plans to help the leadership any way he can.
“Listening to the Speaker and having his vision of what he wants to see the House pursue and do, meeting the committee chairmen” he said, “all of this is just kind of a learning experience and I’m grateful to have it and represent the people of District 10.”
Yaffee is a contributing writer to Yellowhammer News and hosts “The Yaffee Program” weekdays 9-11 a.m. on WVNN. You can follow him on Twitter @Yaffee
