Alabama Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh said he will not sponsor legislation that would have allowed a referendum on a state lottery and Las Vegas-style casinos. “There are probably a higher percentage of people that were open to the lottery than full-blown gambling. But it was never really tested so I don’t know if there is even really support for that. But we’ll see,” Marsh said. That’s because state Rep. Alan Harper recently announced he will introduce lottery legislation in the upcoming session. “People have constantly asked us, ‘When are you going to let us vote on a lottery?’ I think it’s time the people had their say,” Harper said. Currently 44 states have lotteries; Alabama, Mississippi, Utah, Nevada, Hawaii and Alaska do not.
The issue was rejected by voters in 1999, when former Governor Don Siegelman proposed a lottery to fund college scholarships and pre-kindergarten programs. Today, Republicans, who hold majorities in both legislative chambers, are seeking solutions to funding the budget without increasing taxes.
Governor Robert Bentley stated, “I think that a lottery, certainly if it were a clean lottery, all designated for the general fund is something that hopefully the legislature will consider. That could be a long-term funding source for the general fund.” And House Ways and Means General Fund Committee Chairman Steve Clouse said, “If you are going to do it, this is the year to do it, and let people vote on it in November.”
However, Clouse’s colleague, state Senator Trip Pittman, chairman of the Senate General Fund Budget Committee, said it was unlikely lottery legislation would be considered. Senate Rules Chairman Jabo Waggoner noted, “I’m not sure gambling is the way we go in Alabama.”
Chip Hill, executive director of the Alabama Jobs Foundation, which was formed to support Marsh’s bill, said his group “will not support a stand-alone lottery referendum because a lottery alone will not create the jobs or economic impact we need to fix our long-term budget problems.” Hill said the group believes no matter who sponsors Marsh’s legislation, it’s the only viable solution “for providing sustainable long term revenue for the state.” Hill stated despite “dismal” budget forecasts, lawmakers seem “content” to forego $400 million in yearly revenue and 11,000 jobs.
Hill said the group will meet to consider “the future of this proposal, its sponsor and our role” after the New Year.
