An Alabama Republican state senator has taken to the popular crowdfunding site GoFundMe to raise money to make up for the state's $300 million budget shortfall.
Sen. Paul Sanford created the page on Aug. 6, with the title, "Fund the Alabama State Government." He wrote that the state "is experiencing tight financial times and needs your help," reported WHNT 19.
Sanford explained, "Legislators are debating possible financial solutions but are finding that Raising Taxes are not wanted by the citizens of Alabama. Rather than have the Government come after your hard earned money you can now send an amount that fits your budget, even request where your money be used."
"You can determine what functions of Government are a priority to you," he concluded.
As of Tuesday morning, only 38 people had donated $598 of the total $300 million sought by Sanford.
Sanford tweeted a link to the GoFundMe page on Friday, calling it the "Best idea I've ever had."
class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">lang="en" dir="ltr">Best idea I have had: https://t.co/ht9t86ZgQW
- Paul Sanford (@CitizenLawmaker) CitizenLawmaker/status/629716994955288576">August 7, 2015
More than one hundred comments have been left on the page, and it's picking up steam on social media. Many commenters criticize Sanford's effort and encourage those who disagree to "vote Democratic" next election.
"You already have a crowdsourced fund of money. It's called taxes. Why would you possibly deserve more?" wrote Julien Cohen.
Nathaniel White suggested that legalizing marijuana could rake in enough money to fund the government, saying, "This is almost as embarrassing as having our governor campaign on 'no new taxes' and immediately screaming for taxes upon reelection... "
Sanford responded to clear up his intentions, reports WNCN:
"I do appreciate the comments but please realize this was to prove a point that most people do not want to pay more taxes but are for taxes when the other guy is to be taxed. Also, even the few donations that have been received reflect our ability to budget State functions (earmarked for education a rate of 8 to 2 (education to other govt services). It is easy to get support for education but not so easy for he (sic) remaining rolls of Government."
