Bentley: Lawmakers who oppose tax hikes are telling Alabamians, ‘I don’t care about you’

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May 14, 2015

Gov. Robert Bentley addresses more than 1,200 farmers at the opening session of the Alabama Farmers Federation's 93rd annual meeting Dec. 7 at the Montgomery Performing Arts Centre. (Photo: Contributed) — Gov. Robert Bentley addresses more than 1,200 farmers at the opening session of the Alabama Farmers Federation’s 93rd annual meeting Dec. 7 at the Montgomery Performing Arts Centre. (Photo: Contributed)

MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley on Thursday threatened to veto a budget passed by the House General Fund committee that does not include tax increases, calling the plan “unworkable” and accusing members who vote for such a plan of lacking compassion for the people it will impact.

Words from @GovernorBentley on budget that passed committee today #alpolitics pic.twitter.com/kr9Djx5t0y

— Bethany Davis (@bethanyWSFA) May 14, 2015

“I just want to say that this budget is irresponsible, it is unworkable, and it is going to hurt Alabamians,” the governor said. “I believe that anyone who votes for a budget like this is saying to the people of Alabama, ‘I don’t care about you.’”

The House bill, HB135, would cut the General Fund by $204 million, including cutting by 5 percent the Alabama Medicaid Agency, the Department of Mental Health, the Department of Human Resources and the Department of Corrections. All other agencies funded by the General Fund would be trimmed by 9 percent.

The committee’s chairman, Rep. Steve Clouse (R-Ozark), said he and many of his colleagues were not happy with the budget and still believe the Senate should find a way to raise more government revenue. Specifically, he said the House plan would not fund the prison reforms passed last week and would cause an additional $70 million in matching federal funds to be foregone.

“With Gov. Bentley’s tax package generating little support and not a dime of guaranteed proceeds from any of the various gambling plans being floated,” he said, “much work remains to be done on the General Fund budget before the end of the legislative session.”

The Senate has proposed allowing Alabamians to vote on a lottery and gambling expansion plan, which would bring in an estimated $400 million annually. Gov. Bentley has said he will not support any gambling proposals and will veto any budget that falls short of his $541 million tax increase proposal.