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Committee chair warns member requests may exceed revenue; asks staff to model modest cuts
Summary
The committee chair told members that current appropriation levels match revenue estimates and that member funding requests — about $72 million so far — mean the committee must consider expenditure reductions or other changes.
The committee chair opened a budget discussion Wednesday by telling members the current total appropriations on his handout matched the revenue estimate and that member requests submitted so far were approaching available resources.
Chair’s outline and options The chair summarized the situation: the handout showed total appropriations at “3.709” (units not specified on the handout in the transcript), which the chair described as the estimate level. He said the committee has received roughly just under $72,000,000 in requests from members so far and emphasized three options: ignore requests (not viable), reduce expenditures, or change revenue estimates. “When we get to this level, we’ve got to do 2 choices or maybe 3,” the chair said, adding the need to avoid spending “every stinking dime” and to reserve funds in case estimates fall short.
Requests and possible reductions A member suggested modeling across-the-board percentage reductions (for example, 2–5%) as a fair starting point; the chair asked LFO/LSA (Legislative Fiscal Office/Legislative Services Agency) to run scenarios and to consider excluding agencies that already faced large cuts. The chair noted the House had already made specific reductions, mentioning a $5,000,000 reduction to Medicaid and a $5,000,000 reduction to mental health in the House recommendations.
Infrastructure and agency questions Members asked for updates on several capital and agency items:
- Elmore County facility: A member asked for the current construction progress and total expenditures. The chair said construction is progressing and that the project is due to be completed and to begin moving inmates in about a year. The chair said the most recent reported expenditures were approximately 1.086 (units not specified in transcript) and that the 2021 legislative estimate for constructing both prisons was $785,000,000.
- Escambia County facility: The chair said there has been surface work but no earth moving to date.
- Medical Cannabis Commission funding: A member asked about a $1,500,000 line for the Medical Cannabis Commission and whether the commission is functioning. The chair said the enabling legislation has been tied up in court and members questioned why money has been appropriated while litigation continues.
Next steps The chair asked staff to model small percentage reductions and report back; he emphasized the need to make decisions soon to avoid a special session. “If we don’t pass the budget, then we have to be back in special session to pass a budget,” he said.
Ending The chair closed the discussion and the committee proceeded to other agenda items. Members flagged committee scheduling and meeting-time consistency as an ongoing concern.
