An Alabama State Trooper investigates a wreck in March 2015.

The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s budget pitch for more troopers patrolling the state’s highways made an impression on many lawmakers, and extends into concerns for greater security at schools.

ALEA Secretary Hal Taylor, in a presentation to a combined delegation of state Senate and House budget committees Thursday, asked for an $8.7 million increase in its appropriation from the state General Fund, to $61.5 million. Of that amount, $5.5 million would be for 50 additional troopers and their training and equipment.

This year’s budget allowed ALEA to hire and equip 30 new troopers. Taylor is pushing to raise the number of troopers, which was impacted by the 2008 recession.

State Sen. Garlan Gudger, R-Cullman, was among lawmakers involved in the budget hearings.

“Secretary Taylor made a compelling presentation based of a lot of research, and he answered some tough questions,” Gudger said. “I think he had the respect across the board of everyone in the room with what he had to say.”

The verdict on ALEA’s request will have to wait until the Legislature returns for the 2019 session in March.

“This was only the hearing, but my view is to work to have the level of staffing you need for troopers and local law enforcement, including school resource officers,” Gudger said. “When you look at the miles of roads Cullman County has compared to the rest of the state, it’s incredible how much our law enforcement has to cover every day.”

Rep. Randall Shedd, R-Fairview, said concern covers a wide range of agencies, including troopers, health departments, resource officers and prison staff.

“There was a lot of good and bad news in the budget hearings, with one of the good points is that we will not be under as much pressure from Medicaid,” Shedd said. “We will have a lot of work to do in deciding where our greatest needs are for people, and law enforcement is always important. I have a lot of concerns about the situation in our prisons, so we know something needs to be done there. I agree with Speaker (Mac) McCutcheon, that it’s time we start looking at the long term and not just patching things year to year.”

After increases in the budget during 2018’s session, Rep. Corey Harbison, R-Good Hope, said he is uncertain what will transpire.

“We were able to do some things with the budget last year that were needed, including some additional troopers. I’m just not certain if we will be looking at level funding this time or more. There are a lot of issues on the table, including the prisons, that have to be looked at closely. There are a lot of valid arguments from many of the agencies to consider,” Harbison said.

The legislative session begins March 5.