MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) -- A prominent business group, the Business Council of Alabama, has voted to support approval of a proposed constitutional amendment that will be on the ballot Sept. 18.

The amendment would permit the removal of nearly $146 million a year for three years from a state trust fund for use in balancing the state General Fund budget.

BCA President William Canary said Alabama is in a "predicament because of a sustained, ongoing failure of leadership," but imminent hardship will occur if the constitutional amendment is not approved.

Canary said BCA would like to see the Legislature pass a bill requiring the money to be repaid in the future to the Alabama Trust Fund.