The Alabama Legislature has finally managed to pass an operating budget for 2005-2006. All it took was a special session and $108,000 extra taxpayer dollars. The budget includes a 6% pay increase for state employees; well-deserved for the most part and long overdue. In a state where money is extremely tight, it’s a shame that $108,000 couldn’t have gone to help fund the pay raises. If our legislators had done their jobs in the first place, it would have. Why don’t we do something novel and hold them accountable at the next election?