Name:   copperline - Subject:   The state budget crisis & Gov. Bentley Date:   9/5/2015 1:20:20 AM

As October 1 approaches, so has Gov Bentley's reputation dropped like a stone as his divorce becomes public knowledge.   I never have been a Bentley fan, but I had hoped he would be successful in getting a budget together and avoiding this crisis.   Now, I'm not sure he will have the political clout to push thru the tax hikes really needed to adequately fund this state's infrastructure.    

I wonder how Alabamians are going to feel about not having our State Parks, less law enforcement, along with more cuts to Medicaid & entitlement programs if we don't  improve the tax base.   The majority of nursing home residents in Alabama are paid for by Medicaid, reductions there could easily mean that many families will be forced to take their elderly members back home... regardless of whether they can provide adequate care for them.   A huge portion of Medicaid goes to pay for children's health & treatment, too, in places like Children's Hospital... and even Children's Harbor.  

That said, I think more Alabamians will notice we have a problem when they see 'Park Closed' signs and wait longer for a State Trooper to take their accident report, or have to take a whole day off to get their driver's license renewed.

It would be great to think that funding for state services could come from voluntary donations, churches and charities... but its taxes that fund adequate government programs... whether they are entitlements, law enforcement, or infrastruture.  And Alabama has really, really low taxes.    Ask anybody from Georgia or my neighbors from Canada.