Saying Alabama is in a budget crisis, Gov. Robert Bentley is asking legislators to approve $541 million tax increase.
Bentley on Friday unveiled proposals that include an 82.5-cent-per-pack cigarette tax increase and raising the sales taxes on automobile purchases from 2 to 4 percent.
Bentley said he has been opposed to tax increases most of his life. However, he said "there is nothing more conservative" than the state getting its fiscal house in order.
The Republican governor is already at odds with some in his own party by bucking the traditional GOP party line on taxes. The governor is also proposing to shift earmarks from $187 million in state funds so they can be shifted to other needs.
Companies in the Cullman area are looking for a few good workers. A job fair is scheduled for this weekend to help fill positions with foreign owned companies including RAY-how and Alabama Cullman Yutaka** Technologies.
Applications are being accepted for up to two hundred positions. Susan Eller is the county’s special projects coordinator. She says since the Cullman County has an unemployment rate of just over four percent, the job fair is seeking applicants from surrounding counties as well…
“So the one thing will apply online they have a really good chance, if they can meet qualifications, to get an interview on the 28th. If you walk in and apply we may have already met our interview quota and not have time to do that, but they can still come and put their application in.”
The job fair will take place at Wallace State Community College in Hanceville from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m.
The Alabama Department of Tourism has announced the theme for this year’s state tourism campaign – the Year of Alabama Barbecue.
The campaign will include a brand new website, Alabama BBQ dot com, and a connected smartphone app to highlight the best of Alabama barbecue.
Brian Jones is the public relations director for the Alabama Department of Tourism. He says their new app can even let you know about restaurants nearby.
“It will automatically notify you on your smartphone that you’re getting within a distance of these favorite barbecue restaurants. It’s like an interactive brochure that you take with you on your smartphone wherever you travel.”
The Year of Alabama Barbecue will also be taking a photo and video exhibit around the country. Their first stop will be the Memphis in May Barbecue Championships.