Lawmakers Return To Big Decisions On Prisons, Budgets

By KIM CHANDLER and MARTY SWANT, Associated Press, San Antonio Express-News: World
Sun, 03/29/2015 - 9:02am

(AP) — Alabama lawmakers return from spring break Tuesday with some of the biggest decisions of the legislative session in front of them, including votes on prison reform, schools and the perpetually troubled General Fund budget. Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh said senators will have likely vote this week on prison reform, a series of economic incentive bills and changes to a state program that helps some families pay for private school. The Alabama Senate could vote Thursday on sweeping changes to sentencing and probation standards that are aimed at reducing prison crowding. People convicted of those crimes would not be affected by the Habitual Offender Act, and could be steered toward community corrections programs. Senators could also vote this week on an expansion of the Alabama Accountability Act, a state program that helps some families pay for private school with scholarships. The program gives tax credits — a dollar-for-dollar reduction on your income tax bill — for donations to the scholarships and children in "failing" public schools have priority for the scholarships. What we decided to do is make sure we have the full accountability package in the bill that requires the reporting of where these children are coming from along with the audit capability to audit the scholarship granting organizations, Marsh said. Clouse said he and Senate Finance and Taxation General Fund Chairman Arthur Orr on Wednesday will distribute a draft budget that will show the cuts to state agencies if lawmakers do not find additional revenue.

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