Legislature needs to work together to solve issues

At the one-year anniversary of the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico many Alabamians are still feeling the effect of the disaster on the region.

The state is also suffering due to the loss of millions of tax dollars lost when tourists did not flock to Alabama’s beaches last year. Add that lost revenue to the budget issues of recent years and Alabama’s legislature is facing unprecedented pressure to find a way to fund crucial services while maintaining a balanced budget.

Instead of focusing on the issues and working together to resolve problems, Republicans and Democrats in the statehouse have began bickering over petty political fights.

The Franklin County Times encourages both parties to set aside their differences and work together to find the best course of action to keep Alabama moving in the right direction.

The politicians in Washington, D.C. have allowed their minor disagreements to build into partisan rancor, which has debilitated the federal government when it has to address serious concerns. Nobody wants to see that happen in Montgomery.

While it is understandable that Republicans want to flaunt their control of the state government for the first time since the 1800s and Democrats are bitter about losing control of the state, it is time to act like adults instead of bickering children and face the real issues plaguing the state.