BY SEBASTIAN KITCHEN @Montgomery Advertizer

The Alabama Senate will en ter its third week of debate Tuesday on a bill that would bring at least $15 million more in funding for roads and bridges to Autauga, Elmore and Montgomery counties over the next 10 years.

The Legislature is consider ing a bill that would spend $100 million a year over 10 years to build and improve roads and bridges. The money would be taken from the Alabama Trust Fund, which receives royalties from oil and gas production.

Democratic lawmakers who are pushing the bill said it would send money to all 67 counties in the state, creating jobs and improving roads.

Republicans have concerns about raiding the trust fund and believe the money would become discretionary with pow erful lawmakers directing it to pet projects in their district.

“I have been here too long not to know how the system works. People get left out,” said Sen. Larry Dixon, R-Montgom ery.

The Senate sponsor, Demo cratic Sen. Lowell Barron of Fyffe, said counties and the Ala bama Department of Transpor tation will determine how to spend the money.

He said legislators could ear mark every dollar of the budget if they chose to, but have not done so during his 27 years in the Senate.

Several Republicans argued that the legislation says funds would be allocated through the General Fund, which provides the appropriations for public safety, Medicaid and state pris ons, or another appropriations bill. They are concerned the law makers will earmark projects as they craft the budget, giving an advantage to those in leadership and in the majority.

The legislation directs 75 per cent of the money to the Depart ment of Transportation for state highways, roads, bridges and other transportation purposes. At least $5 million each year would go to each of the state’s seven congressional districts.

The remaining 25 percent would be distributed among cit ies and counties for new con struction, repair and mainte nance. Of that amount, 45 percent would be allocated equally among the 67 counties in the state. The remaining 55 per cent would be allocated to the 67 counties based on population.