The governor made it clear Wednesday that he will send the education budget back to lawmakers if they do not approve the 2 percent pay raise plus full funding for the teachers' insurance program. Robert Bentley recommended a 2 percent cost-of-living raise for public school employees. Instead, the Alabama Senate last week approved a 1 percent bonus. The Senate budget chairman said the state can't afford the $74 million dollar cost of a 2 percent raise. Bentley told reporters that his proposal is sound.
Alabama Exports
The state of Alabama exported nearly 20,000 products during 2013. The state's top exports include transportation equipment, chemicals, metal manufacturing, minerals and machinery. Alabama's top export market is Canada, followed closely by China, Germany, Mexico and the United Kingdom.
Fatal Crash
State Troopers say a Montgomery man was killed Wednesday morning in a two-vehicle crash on Interstate 85 South in Macon County. Troopers said 51-year-old Glen Pugh died when the pickup he was driving slammed into the rear of a tractor-trailer. The two-vehicle crash happened just after 9 a.m. at the 22 mile marker near the Shorter Exit ramp. Troopers said the truck driver was not injured.
Selma Bridge Crossing
Selma's annual Bridge Crossing will feature civil rights leader Jesse Jackson, Tony Award-winning entertainer Jennifer Holliday and others. The annual event commemorates March 7th, 1965 when voting rights marchers were beaten by law enforcement officers on Selma's Edmund Pettus Bridge. Organizers of the event says activities begin Thursday with a speech by NAACP board member William Barber.