With metaphorical guns to their heads, the Republican-led Alabama House Ways and Means Committee approved a budget Wednesday that included taxes and fees that would generate about $120 million of the state's $200 million general fund shortfall.
At some point, especially with the fiscal year beginning in three weeks, governments have to govern. That is, if they want to keep state parks open, potholes repaired, troopers on the road and Medicaid funded, they do.
What are legislators doing making budget funding decisions in September? They weren't able to agree on funding for the fiscal 2016 budget earlier in the year and now are on their second special session to try to do so.
No legislator likes to raise taxes and fees, and Gov. Robert Bentley campaigned on not raising taxes, but when all the cuts are made and not enough revenue is generated, something has to give.
"Individual members are beginning to realize that we've got a critical situation that has to be addressed here," said House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Steve Clouse, R-Ozark.
No kidding.
Approved by the committee to generate the revenue are a 25-cent-per-pack cigarette tax increase, an increase in rental car tax from 1.5 to 2 percent, an increase in the car title fee from $15 to $28, a new provider tax on pharmacists and nursing homes to help fund the state Medicaid program, and an adjustment in the business privilege tax so larger companies pay more and smaller ones less.
The proposals still have to face the full House and the Senate. And with a bill for an Alabama lottery waiting in the wings, it appears state legislators will have to decide between two unpalatable choices - raising taxes or permitting a form of gambling.
But it's past time to govern.