Alabama’s state schools superintendent said last week that he plans to bill BP for the loss of education tax revenues caused by the massive oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. He said he would sue the company if it doesn’t pay.
Superintendent of Education Joe Morton said the oil spill’s impact on Alabama’s tourism and fishing industries is hurting tax collections, particularly sales, income, and utility taxes that go toward public education.
He said he will use economic experts to calculate the loss each month and will send BP a bill. If he is rebuffed, Mr. Morton said, he will sue the oil company on behalf of Alabamas 745,000 public school students.