Medicaid Funding Struggles Could Send Alabama Legislature into Special Session
Alabama is once again heading for a budget standoff. This week, the house committee approved a General Fund budget. The state’s Medicaid commissioner says it would cause severe cuts to the program. The $1.8 billion budget steers an additional $15 million to Medicaid, but that’s short of the $100 million the agency says is needed to maintain services.
“I hope that they’re able to solve this without a special session,” says Governor Robert Bentley. “Obviously I would veto a budget that is $100 million short in Medicaid. They probably would override my veto but that does not preclude special sessions though.”
Alabama House Speaker Mike Hubbard says he wouldn’t be surprised if there’s a special legislative session to deal with the the issue.
“I personally think it would be a mistake to call us right back into session until we have an agreement and we work through to figure out what the solution is. And you know I think some of it you need to wait until after November the 8th,” says Hubbard.
Don Dailey, host of Alabama Public Television’s Capitol Journal, told WBHM’s Rachel Osier Lindley more about the budget and the rest of this week’s news from Montgomery.
Crew of fatal US military crash included Alabama father recently deployed
The six U.S. service members who died in the crash of a U.S. military refueling aircraft included an Alabama father who had just been promoted and deployed. The U.S. government released the identities of the deceased service members Saturday.
Alabama poised to drastically overhaul utility regulation. Will it lower electric bills?
The Alabama Senate unanimously voted to expand the public service commission, and create a Secretary of Energy to address rising electricity prices. A bill in the House would go even further, requiring rate case hearings and limiting utility profits.
Musher from Alabama is going for back-to-back Iditarod wins
Riches and paid appearances haven’t followed Jessie Holmes since he won the world’s most famous sled dog race, the Iditarod, last year. He doesn't mind.
Bill would move Alabama to closed primaries
Right now, any Alabama voter can participate in a primary election. Lawmakers in Montgomery took up a bill this week that would change that system.
Auburn football player uses NIL funds to open a community hub in Birmingham
Jourdin Crawford, a freshman defensive lineman at Auburn, used earnings from a Name, Image, and Likeness deal to give back to his hometown.
Ivey commutes death sentence of inmate whose accomplice fired fatal shot
Charles “Sonny” Burton was sentenced to death for the killing of Doug Battle during a 1991 robbery. However, another man shot Battle when Burton had left the building.
