MONTGOMERY, Ala. – A state Senate committee has approved the appropriation of $32 million in funds to rebuild two schools destroyed in a March 1 tornado that claimed eight students’ lives.
State officials are leaning toward this bill instead of a bill passed by the Alabama House last week providing as much as $79 million to the community. Under the House measure, the disaster-stricken Enterprise, Ala., would be required to hand over all money collected from insurance and FEMA. Parents and local officials worry the state appropriation, though the largest allocation of disaster relief in state history, will not be adequate to rebuild the community.
The rewritten bill provides for a lump sum of $32 million, with Enterprise not being required to repay the insurance and federal monies it receives.
As reported previously by CS, eight students were killed when the tornado struck and destroyed Enterprise High School earlier this month.
The state committee’s bill may be presented before the Senate as early as next week.
