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            Auburn University - University Relations
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4/11/95                 Janet McCoy

ALABAMA LEGISLATORS TO FACE SAME ISSUES; MONEY WOES: AU EXPERTS

      AUBURN -- The Alabama Legislature will face some familiar issues 
-- tax reform, education reform, prison reform, welfare reform and health 
care reform -- when the 1995 session begins April 18, say several Auburn 
University faculty who study the Legislature.
      "All of these issues are controversial and all at a near crisis 
level in Alabama," says historian Wayne Flynt, a distinguished university 
professor at AU.
"These issues are not going away. And if we don't make some difficult 
decisions in the areas of prisons, mental health, education and human 
resources, the courts will do it."
      Flynt says Alabama has a historic pattern in the 20th century for 
not solving its problems.
       "Unfortunately, letting the courts decide how the state will act 
is a pattern of Alabama leadership," he says. "And if I were a betting 
man, I'd say that how these issues will be settled.
      "In a year with few resources and lost revenues and a potential 
acrimonious relationship between the governor and the Legislature, it's 
going to require a real level of statesmanship to get anything done."
      Political scientist Keith Ward says one of the most serious 
problems facing the 1995 Legislature is an under funded general fund.
       "One of  the big questions that will have to be answered is 'How 
is Alabama going to budget its funds?'," he says.
      While it is a critical issue in Alabama, the state is not alone, 
says Ward.
      "This is a national crunch -- how do we fund government as we've 
known it in the past?" he says. "People are saying 'no more', but in 
order to change we need to have a depth of study and Alabama has not done 
that."
      Ward, director of AU's Center for Governmental Services, says 
another critical issue is the education trust fund litigation and how to 
fund education.
       "One of the questions the Legislature will have to ask is will 
they pass a bond issue to fund all education, or do they focus on primary 
and secondary education," he said
      Ward says since the mid 1970s, the Legislature has traditionally 
adopted a one-third for higher education, two-thirds for 
kindergarten-through-12th grade split in funding.
       "If more money goes to K through 12 with no means of additional 
revenue, then it's a serious problem for higher education," he said. 
"It's going to be a serious issue if we fund K though 12 at a higher 
level" than the tradition split."
      The Legislature, during its preliminary meetings, has had little 
direction from the James administration,Ward says.
       "The governor has not given information on where he's headed on 
issues, so the Legislature has little sense of direction," he says. "It's 
a new legislative year and a new Legislature without focus and direction. 
They are going to have to create their own direction."
      Richard Kunkel, dean of AU's College of Education, said he 
believes the Legislature will make little or no headway in finding a 
solution to the education reform issue until a superintendent of 
education is named. 
      Longtime Alabama Superintendent of Education Wayne Teague retired 
earlier this year and there is currently a search to replace him.
      "I think until there is a selection of the chief state school 
officer, not as many controversial topics concerning education will be 
debated before the Legislature," says Kunkel, who is active in the James 
administration, and involved in the National Governor's Association on 
the governor's behalf. 
      "I think financial topics will be discussed, but not policy 
topics," he added.
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april95:legislature
CONTACT: Flynt, 334/844-6650; Ward, 334/844-4187; and Kunkel, 334/844-4446.