What's Happening in Montgomery, AL…

On the last day of the legislative season, Alabama lawmakers approved next year’s budget plan which features a $500m increase on education spending.

The extra money will come from the Education Trust Fund. Towns and cities in Alabama, such as Huntsville and Montgomery, will benefit from more than 250 more teachers in middle school and a 4% pay hike for every employee involved in education, which is up from last year’s 2.5% rise. The increase in funds means that art and graphic design students will also have more resources to work with.

According to the allocation, Alabama’s pre-kindergarten program will get $27m more than last year. This program has received critical acclaim, although it is yet to be rolled out across the state. Most of the funding increase will be used to source more classrooms. Meanwhile, community colleges will enjoy a 9% rise in their budgets.

The chairman of the House budget committee, Rep. Bill Poole, pointed out that this rise in school funding is indicative of how the economy is bouncing back from the last recession. He went on to say:

“I think we are heading a very positive trend now. This is a very positive budget to address a lot of critical needs in education around the state in every area, every region on every level.”