2017Issue6_Alabama_v9.indd

GOVERNMENT RELATIONS

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PATRICK MCWHORTER LEGISLATIVE REPRESENTATIVE THE MCWHORTER GROUP

state would have to pay for some of it if CHIP funding isn’t continued at its current rate. On another front, a federal judge earlier this year ruled that the Alabama Department of Corrections (ADOC) must improve its treatment of mentally ill prisoners. The ADOC in November said it is hiring more correctional officers, but making improvements in the system will require about $10 million annually that the department doesn't have, according to the Associated Press. The department says it's up to the governor and the Legislature to provide the money. Legislators have not yet seen what the different agencies are requesting for their 2019 budget. Most all agencies have been level funded the past two years. They already were looking at a hole before any new expenses emerged. The 2018 budget year, which began Oct. 1, has $105 million in one-time BP money for Medicaid that will not be available in 2019. So if you back that out of the $128 million available as mentioned above, it’s going to be a tight budget. House Speaker Mac McCutcheon created the new House Standing Committee on Fiscal Responsibility by House resolution during the 2017 regular session. Mobile Republican State Rep. Chris Pringle has

ALTHOUGH ELECTION YEAR LEGISLATIVE SESSIONS ARE TYPICALLY CALM, 2018 MAY BE THE EXCEPTION AS STATE LEADERS FACE NUMEROUS UNKNOWNS.

1st with about $34 million more in revenue than expected. Coupled with $90 million carried over from the 2017 session (mostly from BP oil spill settlement), it could be a lot worse. But the BP money runs out after this year. However, there are a lot of unknowns out there. Congress has not yet approved funding for the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIPS), which provides coverage for over 150,000 low and moderate income children in the state. State leaders are hopeful Congress will act soon and extend the CHIPS program, and the 100 percent federal funding that previously has gone with it. If the state had to pay for 20 percent of that through Medicaid match, it could cost $80 million to $90 million. Children on Medicaid can’t lose their federally mandated coverage, though the

The 2018 Annual Legislative Session is set to begin January 8, 2018. As set by law, the Legislature always convenes the session early during an election year. Also, as set by law, each session is limited to 30 session days, to be held within 105 calendar days. So the work of the Session must be completed by April 23, 2018. 2018 is an election year in Alabama for all Constitutional Officers (Governor, Lt. Governor, Secretary of State, etc.), all 140 State Legislators, and many judgeships and local offices. Election year sessions are always pretty calm, with no one wanting to “rock the boat” with anything controversial leading into the election. However, we again are facing a budget crisis for the General Fund, which provides money for all non-education agencies. This fund ended Fiscal Year 2017 on October

“We hope that the strife and disruptions of last session will not carry over into next year. ”

been selected to chair the panel that will focus its attention on increasing

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