Governor Robert Bentley spoke at the Montgomery Chamber of Commerce’s Alabama Update was May 4, 2015 at the Embassy Suites Montgomery Hotel and Conference Center. Gov. Bentley discussed the economic well-being of the state, legislative priorities and other issues impacting the Alabama business community. Almost 400 guests were in attendance.
Gov. Bentley began by stating that the state of Alabama has had budget problems over the last 70 years. “I came to solve problems and make Alabama better” said the Governor “We need to raise revenue to make the general fund work properly”.
Gov. Bentley had submitted a bill to increase taxes to the legislature that will raise $541 million needed for the general fund. These Fair Taxes will be a raise in three real taxes- cigarette tax, car tax, and rental tax on automobiles. Property tax and sales tax would remain the same. “All I’m asking for is fairness” pleaded the governor “Corporations and individuals need to pay their fair share if they want fair services from the government”. Alabama is currently 50th in the United States in taxes.
The governor is opposed to the lottery bill. He said that a lottery is not the way to fund the government and that it will not get us the money that we need by fiscal year October 1.
Another Alabama Update session maybe held this summer.
