Alabama House and Senate at odds over funding for state and education retirees

The Alabama Senate was embroiled in a heated debate on Wednesday over a bill that would provide much-needed funds for retired state and education employees. The bill, HB 201, sponsored by Rep. Steve Clouse, aimed to create a process for future benefit increases for state and education retirees, who have not seen a cost-of-living adjustment in benefits since 2007.

The bill had previously passed with a vote of 33-1 after the Senate adopted a substitute allowing direct appropriations to the fund from the Legislature. However, the House rejected the changes in a 102-0 vote, sending the bill to a conference committee for further discussion.

The debate on the Senate floor was intense, with concerns raised by Senate budget chairs Sen. Greg Albritton and Sen. Arthur Orr. Albritton argued that a trust fund could grow in assets, while a cost-of-living adjustment could lead to increased expenditures.

Sen. Clyde Chambliss, who handled the bill in the Senate, faced criticism for offering a substitute that focused on bonuses rather than the original mechanism for benefit increases. Despite the opposition, the bill was eventually adopted with a vote of 33-1, with Albritton as the sole dissenting vote.

Sen. Rodger Smitherman and Sen. Merika Coleman voiced their support for the bill, emphasizing the importance of providing for retirees. The debate also touched on the potential revenue from gambling, which could have alleviated the need for such discussions.

In the end, Rep. Clouse expressed his willingness to continue discussions on the bill in conference, highlighting the ongoing efforts to secure benefits for retired employees.