On a voice vote, the Alabama House Economic Development and Tourism Committee recently approved state Rep. Alan Harper’s bill that would allow voters to approve a lottery. Legislators would determine many of the details later, including where the proceeds would be directed. “Everywhere I go I hear the question, ‘When are you going to let us vote?'” Harper said. He noted he would accept amendments to spell out distribution of the funds.
State Senator Jim McClendon is the bill’s sponsor in the Senate, where a public hearing recently was held but no vote was taken on the measure. Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh said, “I do agree it’s very vague right now. I did suggest to the Senator he might want to find a way to tighten that up. Otherwise, I think it might have some difficulty in committee.”
In public testimony before the House vote, gambling opponents far outnumbered supporters and cited lottery ticket sales stats and Bible passages to try to convince lawmakers to vote against the lottery measure. State Rep. Rich Wingo commented,” Do you really think Jesus Christ is in this? Honestly, deep in your heart do you believe Christ is involved in a lottery?”
Attorney and gambling opponent Eric Johnston said he was concerned that removing the state constitution’s ban on lotteries could lead to allowing casinos. However, McClendon insisted his bill only would authorize a state lottery. Still, state Rep. Pebblin Warren, who represents a Macon County district where a bingo casino was closed after a state-authorized raid, said, “If we are going to get out to the people and talk about gaming, it’s time we deal with whole gaming issue.”
In 1999, Alabama voters rejected a lottery proposed by then-Governor Don Siegelman. Since then, Democrats have unsuccessfully introduced lottery legislation. More recently, as neighboring states have approved lotteries and Alabama legislators consistently seek new revenue sources, Republican opposition has decreased.
