Alabama Special Session on Reenacting Tax Starts Tonight

BRADENTON, Fla. – A special session of the Alabama legislature to address reenacting an occupational tax struck down as unconstitutional earlier this year, will begin at 6 p.m. this evening.

Alabama Gov. Bob Riley late Saturday called the special session to deal with one portion of the financial crisis facing Jefferson County.

“This special session is necessary to develop a solution to Jefferson County’s financial crisis, one that threatens not only the future of Jefferson County but also the economic stability of our entire state,” Riley said in a statement.

The occupational tax funds nearly one-third of the county’s general fund.

Riley asked lawmakers to return to Montgomery with “with an attitude of compromise so this problem can be solved” and said the agenda for the special session would be released today.

The session is not expected to deal with the county’s $3.2 billion of troubled sewer debt or the $766 million of swap termination fees that are owed.

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