By Alabama Public Radio
Montgomery, AL – The fight concerning control of the state Senate will be going on when the Legislature returns for a special session to rewrite the General Fund budget. Senate Rules Committee Chair Jim Preuitt is among those trying to oust Lowell Barron as president pro tem. Preuitt says his side does have a majority but is still short of the super majority of 21 votes that are needed to remove Barron. Barron, meanwhile, says the Senate is evenly divided on the issue. He also says Governor Riley is helping Preuitt's side try to round up votes. A spokesperson for the Governor says he is not involved in the Senate fight. Senators on both sides of the battle say they expect Riley to call the special session around July 18th because that week falls between various trips and conferences planned by legislators.