MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) - The board that oversees Alabama's
prepaid college tuition plan is switching from politicians to
non-politicians to try to negotiate a solution to the program's
$346 million deficit.
The board decided Wednesday that three board members who aren't
running for political office will work with the Legislature and
colleges to seek a solution. The board members are Mobile attorney
Russell Buffkin, Montgomery businessman Daniel Hughes and Andalusia
businessman Ricky Jones.
The board took a different approach during the last legislative
session when the negotiations were handled by three politicians on
the board. They were gubernatorial candidates Bradley Byrne and Kay
Ivey and Lt. Gov. Jim Folsom Jr. They were unsuccessful in securing
a financial solution.
Jones says the board wanted non-politicians seeking a solution
in an election year.
(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
