Coalition Pushing Tax, Education Reforms in Ala. Crumbling

By Millicent Lawton

A delicate coalition in Alabama that recommended nearly $500 million in tax- and education-reform measures has begun to crumble in response to cuts in the legislative package made by the Senate.

In addition, Gov. Guy Hunt, who appointed the task force that developed the original proposal, has said he would veto the accountability and school-funding package if it came to him in the form it was in early last week.

The original plan combined tax changes aimed at generating almost $500 million in new state revenue with school reforms in such...