Professor Montre Carodine recently told Al.com it’s “an unfortunate development” that Alabama legislators are moving forward with a plan to divert $950 million of a federal settlement for the Gulf of Mexico oil spill to the state’s General Fund.
Alabama lawmakers have not specified how they plan to spend the money that will go into the General Fund, and some are concerned the money will be used to alleviate future budget deficits.
“Those state officials who negotiated the settlement have continued with their plans to provide a windfall to the state’s General Fund despite the concerns raised earlier this summer by concerned citizens and some elected officials when the tentative settlement plans were announced,” Professor Carodine said. “This is an unfortunate development for those truly concerned about restoring the Gulf Coast region.”
For more, read “Disappointment Lingers for South Alabama Officials over Alabama’s Settlement in BP Oil Spill Case.”
