Senate Committee Passes Education Budget

The Senate Finance and Taxation Education Committee gave a favorable report to the House generated $6.3 billion education budget.

The Committee also gave a favorable report to companion legislation that collects state corporate income taxes from 44 companies that don't currently pay those taxes, and provides tax breaks to small companies and their employees.

Sen. Del Marsh, R-Anniston, announced to the committee that negotiations on the corporate tax bill were continuing, but he recommend that it get the bills out of committee and amendments would be offered on the floor.

Marsh has been actively involved with behind the scenes negotiations, but he's been mum about just what he is trying to work out.

Higher education is hoping that somebody works out a plan to add $25 million more to their appropriations, though Committee Chairman Sen. Hank Sanders, D-Selma, said he is determined not to move the bottom line.