Governor Kay Ivey's education budget proposal offered earlier this year included money for some high-profile non-education projects. But they will not be in the budget coming out of the Alabama Legislature, according to State Sen. Arthur Orr (R-Decatur).
Orr, who chairs the Senate Education Budget Committee, told Alabama Public Television"Capitol Journal" host Todd Stacy those decisions were "tough" and that he received assurances from his House Education Budget Committee counterpart, State Rep. Danny Garrett (R-Trussville), the House agreed.
"They were tough decisions because we met with each of the groups, and they had compelling cases," he said. "But at the end of the day, the body felt like, and myself included, that we needed to keep education dollars focused on educational matters. As I said earlier, at times, that can get a bit gray. These particular cases, it seemed more of a clear, more black-and-white-defining decision as far as whether they were going to stay in the budget or not."
"I've been working closely with Chairman Garrett in the House, getting his thinking as well, as to how the House might perceive certain items in the budget so we don't make one decision in the Senate and they make another in the House," Orr added. "If we can coordinate, that certainly helps. And I say that to say he seemed to be of a similar mindset when it came to those particular projects."
Jeff Poor is the executive editor of 1819 News and host of "The Jeff Poor Show," heard Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-noon on Mobile's FM Talk 106.5. To connect or comment, email jeff.poor@1819News.com or follow him on Twitter @jeff_poor.
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