Retail Report: Senate OKs record education budget; Governor signs law that adjusts pricing during emergencies

This is an unprecedented budget in an unprecedented time,” Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, said Thursday after the Alabama Senate approved an almost $9 billion spending plan (SB88) for education in the 2024 fiscal year. The record budget includes reduced income-tax rebates, while the Senate also approved almost $3 billion in supplemental appropriations for this year’s budget. The education budget chair called it “the most trying budget ever,” referencing having to spend a surplus while bracing for a revenue slowdown.

Both state budgets have now been approved by at least one chamber.

Meanwhile, the governor signed into law legislation that could mean declared emergencies will affect prices only in certain areas rather than the whole state.

The Alabama House will convene at 1 p.m. and the Alabama Senate at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 9, for the 19th day of the 2023 regular session. The Legislature is expected to meet two days, rather than three next week.

For legislative and other news of relevance to retailers,
read This Week in Retail News.


THIS WEEK IN RETAIL NEWS

Starting Aug. 1, governor or Legislature can limit price gouging law to specific areas during emergencies  (alabamaretail.org)

Fed raises key rate but hints it may pause amid bank turmoil (ap.com)

Senate approves $8.8B education budget, $2.8B surplus spending plan (alabamadailynews.com)

Proposed one-time income tax rebates for individuals drop from $400 to $105 (alabamaretail.org)

Senate removes Main Street grants from supplemental appropriations (alabamaretail.org)

House votes to exempt overtime pay from Alabama income tax for at least 3 years (alabamaretail.org)

Legislation targeting retail thieves and organized retail theft under House panel review; awaits Senate debate (alabamaretail.org)

Alabama metro areas have the lowest unemployment rates in the nation (labor.alabama.gov)

Democratic U.S. senator proposes raising national minimum wage to $17 (al.com)

Senate OKs making curbside alcohol volumes same as allowed under home delivery; bill goes back to House (alabamaretail.org)

Senate panel amends bill dealing with below cost PBM reimbursements; drug supply chain change effective Aug. 1; remote work for pharmacists possible July 1 (alabamaretail.org)

Psychoactive cannabinoids must be behind counter, in child-proof packaging and sold only to those 21 and older, under House approved bill (alabamaretail.org)

House panel approves vape oversight that adds e-liquids to oversight, changes consequences for underage users and revises poster requirement (alabamaretail.org)

Lawmaker proposes allowing 18- to 20-year-olds to serve alcohol in breweries and wineries (alabamaretail.org)

Biden sending 1,500 troops for Mexico border migrant surge expected after COVID restrictions end (apnews.com)

Pink eye and high fever prevalent in latest COVID variant (al.com)

WIC income guidelines have increased; more may qualify (alabamapublichealth.gov)

Grocery bill would freeze local taxes on food (aldailynews.com)


Previous Alabama Retail Reports


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