2/23/16 Group Watch: Gulf Park Plans Stalled
When the legislature returned on Tuesday, February 16, for the 5th day of session, they were greeted with news that a federal judge has blocked Alabama from using a portion of oil spill funds for the construction of a hotel and conference center at Gulf State Park. Senior U.S. District Judge Charles Butler ruled that federal trustees failed to examine alternative uses for the money. Gulf Restoration Network sued state and federal trustees over the state’s plan to use $58.5 million in early restoration funds for the project. The court order prohibits the state from using the money for the hotel development until the analysis is completed.
