Alabama has a $300 million hole to fill, so a state senator has resorted to the same fundraising efforts struggling musicians have used to fund their next tour.

Online crowdfunding.

Sen. Paul Sanford (R-Huntsville) created the GoFundMe campaign imaginatively coined “Fund the Alabama State Government.” On his personal Twitter page, he referred to the campaign as the “best idea I have had.”

As of Wednesday, 75 engaged citizens raised more than $1,300, though some who have given donations between $5 and $100, mock and critique the senator’s campaign idea. The campaign has been shared on Facebook and Twitter more than 4,800 times, according to the campaign page.

The GoFundMe campaign message read:

The state of Alabama is experiencing tight financial times and needs your help. 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.​

According to the Gadsden Times, Sanford said he launched the page facetiously, opining in a page post, “this was to prove a point that most people do not want to pay more taxes, but are for taxes when the other guys is to be taxed.”

For giggles or not, Sanford has received myriad responses from his potential voting pool and people across the country.

One poster rants: “If Alabama had the lottery or legalized marijuana maybe the state would not have money problems. I know they take plenty out of my husband’s and I [sic] paycheck every week.”

Anna Cannard, who donated $15, championed the idea of allowing small donors to decide where their government dollars are used.

She wrote: “I LOVE this notion! Let the people decide what they want to pay the government.”

No word yet on how the senate will stretch the $1,300 across the budget.

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