By Bill Britt
Alabama Political Reporter
MONTGOMERY—In a press release July 9, at 2:08 pm, Governor Robert Bentley announced the Special Session to address the General Fund Budget would begin on Monday, July 13.
In a move that caught legislators and leadership by surprise, rumors swirled as to why Bentley would make the call a month before the previously agreed date of August 18.
House and Senate members have been working since the end of the regular session to find a solution that would address the estimated $250 million General Fund Budget shortfall. The Senate was scheduled to hold it second meeting on July 14, with a joint meeting with the House on July 30.
Anger, frustration and dismay greeted the Governor’s announcement ranging from “has he lost his mind” to “Alzheimers?”
Speaking on background, several Senators said the plan was to open the Special Session on Monday, July 13, and then recess until August 3.
