Alabama Governor Robert Bentley recently said gambling is off the table as a source of funds to help fill the potential 0 million gap in the fiscal 2016 General Fund budget. The fiscal year starts October 1.
Although Bentley personally opposes gambling, lately he had said he possibly would consider a gaming compact with the Poarch Band of Creek Indians that would permit them to allow them to expand their three gaming operations in Alabama. He also had said he would consider a state lottery, although that would have to be approved by voters. “The only thing that is not on the table is gambling. We’re not proposing gambling as a solution to this problem,” Bentley said.
He said tax increases are a possibility but would get into any specifics. Bentley added he wants options that would be shared by all Alabamans, not just a few groups.
“When a Republican talks about raising taxes, that’s pretty bold. But we know what the needs are and we’ve done everything we possibly can to cut government in Alabama more than any state in the country,” Bentley said. He plans to present his proposed on March 4 to lawmakers who return to Montgomery on March 3 for the 2015 session.
Anti-gambling groups are applauding Bentley’s announcement. John Hill, senior research analyst for the Alabama Policy Institute, a non-partisan conservative think tank, said, “Make no mistake, with the American gambling market saturated, the only people visiting Alabama’s casinos will be Alabamians, especially its poorest. Why would any state’s leadership wish these problems on its populace?”
