The report is in. Leaders of the Legislative Fiscal Office told lawmakers today that Alabama’s education budget will need to be cut by 2.3 percent. Much deeper cuts are proposed for the general fund budget. From the AP – Legislators hear forecast of budget cuts

After scoring a major victory in the 2010 elections, Alabama Republican Party executive director John Ross says he’s moving on to a government relations firm. From the Tuscaloosa News – State GOP executive director resigns

M.J. Ellington of The Decatur Daily gets an advance look at the state budget situation from finance director David Perry. Long story short: get ready for proration. From The Decatur Daily -- Proration Likely

The U.S. Department of Justice is reviewing the Alabama law banning public employees from having union dues automatically withheld from their paychecks. That’s the bill otherwise known as SB2, which generated so much controversy during last year’s special session – largely because union officials see it at a pointed effort to make fundraising harder for the Alabama Education Association. At issue: does the law violate the Voting Rights Act of 1965? Officials in the Alabama attorney general’s office say this happens every time a state legislature changes election-related law – but there have been cases when these laws don’t pass muster with DOJ, and remain unenforced. From The Anniston Star – Feds reviewing AEA payroll deduction ban