Judge Dismisses Lawsuit Challenging Alabama Budget

By: The Associated Press

Posted: Thu 10:05 AM, Nov 01, 2012

A judge has dismissed a lawsuit that contended Alabama's $1.7 billion General Fund budget violated state laws requiring balance budgets.

Former Republican state Sen. John Rice of Auburn filed the lawsuit in August. He contended the fiscal 2013 budget was improper because it was based on voters approving a constitutional amendment in September to transfer nearly $146 million a year for three years to the General Fund.

Rice said that basing the budget on revenue not yet in hand violated state law. Voters approved the transfer Sept. 18.

Montgomery County Circuit Judge Truman Hobbs Jr. dismissed the suit Wednesday. He said any budget is an estimate of money not yet received.

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