BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) -- Governor Robert Bentley said he will ask the Legislature to pass a constitutional amendment combining Alabama's two state budgets into one and allowing some money now allocated for education to be spent on state agencies.

Bentley announced the proposal during a speech Tuesday to the Birmingham Kiwanis Club. Bentley said some state agencies are hurting for money, and Alabama is certain to face a lawsuit seeking the release of several thousand prisoners if it doesn't improve prison funding.

Representative Paul DeMarco, R-Homewood, said he's glad the governor is proposing a unified budget but it's too early to say how it will be received because there are no details yet.

Bentley said he is also developing plans for a bond issue of up to $2 billion for road projects.