By Alabama Public Radio
Montgomery, AL – State school Superintendent Joe Morton is asking the Legislature for another expansion of the Alabama Reading Initiative. The program's funding increased from $12.5 million in 2004 to $40 million in 2005. Morton now wants to increase the funding to $55 million for 2006. Morton says that extra $15 million would let the state Department of Education put the Reading Initiative in almost every Alabama school that has kindergarten through third grade students. Morton made his annual budget presentation to the Legislature Monday. He's also asking for more money for libraries, textbooks, professional development and benefits. Legislators, meanwhile, will hear budget requests Tuesday from two-year and four-year colleges.