By Zach Hester, Reporter • zach@southerntorch.com

MONTGOMERY, Ala. — On Monday, Alabama lawmakers overwhelmingly approved Governor Kay Ivey's (R-Ala.) executive amendment on how to appropriate the $1.8 billion allocated by the CARES Act. The funds were sent to states from the federal government to deal with the fallout of the coronavirus pandemic. 

"I commend the Alabama Legislature for their cooperation by supporting my Executive Amendment to SB161," stated Gov. Ivey. "This friendly amendment ensures the CARES Act money will be immediately available to the people of Alabama and put to use under the intent of the U.S. Congress and President Trump."

The Alabama Senate voted 30-1 in favor of the amendment, while the House passed it 73-1. The governor and legislature had previously been in a skirmish over how to use the funds. 

The amendment directs the funds into broad categories as opposed to specific items in the general fund budget, including reimbursements to state and local governments, health care and related services, and support for people, businesses, non-profit and faith-based organizations affected by COVID-19.

"Our cities, counties and state, as well as places like our nursing homes, hospitals, schools and colleges have incurred many legitimate expenses because of COVID-19. I thank the members of the Alabama Legislature for supporting this amendment and for ensuring this money helps the people of Alabama who have been harmed by this disease," Ivey continued. "Together, we will recover, and we will get Alabama back on her feet." 

As of Tuesday at 12 p.m., the State of Alabama had 12,333 cases of the novel coronavirus out of 157,566 tested. 496 deaths were reported and more than 1,400 Alabamians have been hospitalized since March 13.