Search

Alabama lottery vote on shaky ground in SenateNews Story
The Alabama Senate started debate Wednesday on whether to allow residents to vote on a constitutional amendment to establish a lottery, but adjourned for the day without a vote on the proposal. The outlook for both plans from Gov. Robert Bentley and State Sen. Jim McClendon, R-Springville, remains bleak. We're still putting the pieces together, McClendon said after Wednesday's sessions adjourned. I'm not ready to bury it yet. He gave his bill, which differs from Bentley's in that it would
Aug 18, 2016, 9:22 am - Lottery News

Alabama lottery debate: Senators try to reach compromise on 2 proposalsNews Story
Alabama senators on Wednesday remained divided on lottery proposals as they tried to strike compromise on gambling that has so far been elusive. Senators began debate on dueling lottery proposals. One bill is a proposal backed by Gov. Robert Bentley to establish a state lottery. The other would authorize a lottery and also allow electronic lottery terminals which can be similar to slot machines or video poker at four state dog tracks. I think there is a chance that we will get something t
Aug 17, 2016, 10:12 pm - Lottery News

Committee hears pros and cons of Alabama lotteryNews Story
Update: Committee approves both bills, sends to full Senate Bills to call for a constitutional amendment to establish a state lottery were debated this morning in an Alabama Senate committee. The Senate Tourism and Marketing Committee held a public hearing on the second day of the special legislative session. The committee plans to meet again this afternoon and take votes on the bills. At the public hearing, several people spoke in opposition to a lottery and other forms of gambling,
Aug 16, 2016, 5:06 pm - Lottery News

Alabama lawmakers weigh in on lotteryNews Story
Several Montgomery-area lawmakers say they could support letting Alabamians decide whether the state has a lottery, and whether Powerball and Mega Millions tickets are sold locally. But they say they're unlikely to support any effort to allow electronic games at several sites around the state. The Legislature returns to the Statehouse on Monday to debate lottery legislation and likely other possible revenue fixes for the state. More money for the state Medicaid Agency in 2017 is a priority
Aug 14, 2016, 9:03 am - Lottery News

Alabama lottery plan could face uphill battleNews Story
Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley, who said a year ago that lotteries were as old-fashioned as leisure suits, now says they are the best remaining option to boost funding for important state programs, especially Medicaid. State lawmakers return to Montgomery on Monday for a special session to consider the governor's proposal for a lottery to raise money for the state budget. Previously, Bentley has said he did not oppose a lottery proposal going on the ballot for voters, but was not a proponent
Aug 13, 2016, 9:17 am - Lottery News

Alabama senator introduces competing lottery proposalNews Story
Alabama Sen. Jim McClendon, R-Springville, laid out a competing proposal Tuesday to Gov. Robert Bentley's plan to institute a statewide lottery as a means to addressing Alabama's budget shortfall. McClendon is still working on the details of the bill so he did not have a copy available. His plan expands on Bentley's by allowing for electronic lottery terminals devices similar to slot machines to be installed in Birmingham, Mobile, and Greene and Macon Counties. The terminals would raise $127
Aug 9, 2016, 4:14 pm - Lottery News

Alabama Gov. releases legislation for lotteryNews Story
Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley has released the legislation for his proposed lottery to support the state budget. The three-page bill, a proposed constitutional amendment, says lottery proceeds would go to the state General Fund. A copy of the bill is linked in the Related Links section below. It also calls for the establishment of a lottery commission to run the lottery. The commission would have seven members. They would be appointed by the governor and confirmed by the state Senate. The
Aug 8, 2016, 8:15 am - Lottery News

Details emerge about Alabama Gov.'s lottery visionNews Story
Governor Robert Bentley said money from a possible Alabama lottery would not fund education, but he's still optimistic voters will approve it. The Governor provided some details about his plans for this month's special session at a visit to local media outlet WBRC. He's hoping legislators will green light a November ballot initiative, giving Alabama voters another chance to approve a statewide lottery. A similar measure was voted down in 1999. Bentley admitted he was among those who voted aga
Aug 3, 2016, 9:40 am - Lottery News

Alabama governor calls special session for state lotteryNews Story
Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley believes a statewide lottery is the permanent solution to fixing Alabama's funding woes, and Wednesday, he called for a special session to discuss the proposal. In a video released on the Office of the Governor website Wednesday morning, Bentley said the goal is to get the proposal passed by the Legislature and hold a statewide vote on amending the state's constitution to allow for a lottery. The time has come for us to find a permanent solution. This solution
Jul 27, 2016, 8:02 pm - Lottery News

Alabama may try lottery vote in special sessionNews Story
According to Alabama Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh, Alabama lawmakers are being polled in regard to their support for legislation establishing a lottery ahead of a presumed special session. Gov. Robert Bentley said last week he's considering a special session to tackle budget issues, such as the lingering $85 million gap in the state's Medicaid program. Lawmakers funded up to $700 million for Medicaid, which requires at least $785 million to operate. A special session would be called
Jul 25, 2016, 12:08 pm - Lottery News