By Alabama Public Radio
Montgomery, AL – The state House rejected bills Tuesday that would have raised fees to increase revenue for the General Fund budget. The budget is projected to have a shortfall of more than 300 million dollars. Lawmakers voted against a measure that would have increased the annual fee for highway billboard advertisements from 25 dollars to 50 dollars. Another would have increased the cost of getting a driver's record from the Department of Public Safety. Governor Bob Riley supported both proposals, but House leaders say Tuesday's votes show legislators are still reluctant to raise taxes or fees. They say lawmakers point to last year's overwhelming rejection of the governor's one-point-two billion dollar tax plan.