Mississippi state Rep. Alyce Clarke proposed an amendment to Senate Bill 2976, the state Gaming Commission budget, which would prohibit the state gaming commission from receiving any funds in the budget year starting July 1 unless the state approves a lottery to benefit schools, roads and cities. The amendment was adopted on an unrecorded voice vote and the bill then passed 88-26.
The bill now moves to a House-Senate conference committee where negotiators could strip out the lottery demand. But if the bill is approved, it could leave the commission with no funds for enforcing gambling laws. “If we vote for this, there won’t be any regulation of gaming at all,” state Rep. Andy Gipson said.
Clarke, a Democrat, said the amendment was meant to send a message to Republican leaders that most lawmakers support a lottery. “I just want to make sure that when this bill goes on to the Senate, the senators know we want this,” Clarke said. GOP leaders have expressed concern over promoting gambling and how a lottery could affect other tax collections.
Lottery supporters include state Rep. Steve Holland, who said, “How long do we have to suffer over bringing voluntary taxation, since you people won’t vote for a tax?”
State Rep. Casey Eure added, “Personally, I do support the lottery. I believe before the term is up we can see a lottery.”
The House amended a bill to demand a lottery twice in 2016 but it died both times. Governor Phil Bryant in recent years has said he supports a lottery. Neither House Speaker Philip Gunn nor Lieutenant Gov. Tate Reeves has said he would block the measure.
