Alabama Legislature won't have pre-session budget hearings

MONTGOMERY, Al.
The Alabama Legislature won't follow its usual practice of having budget hearings before the legislative session starts Feb. 7.

Budget committee chairmen say they are delaying budget hearings until the session starts because budget cuts will be necessary if they want to work from Gov. Robert Bentley's proposed state budgets.

The chairmen say they will get revenue forecasts from the state finance director and the Legislature's financial experts on the opening day of the session. The next day they will hear from leaders of the Medicaid Agency and Department of Corrections. Each Wednesday afternoon after that will be devoted to more agencies and public education.