Is a lottery coming to Alabama? Some lawmakers say that's the winning ticket when it comes to fixing the state's budget problems.
But, it's a controversial issue with some lawmakers morally opposed to the idea. It has been 17 years since Alabamians voted "no" on a lottery, and they might get the chance to vote once again.
Even the lawmakers who do want a lottery don't agree on what kind of lottery is right for Alabama.
"The only wild card would be a lottery which would be difficult to budget on in 2017, but that's still floating around in Montgomery," Republican State Senator Arthur Orr said.
Several lawmakers are pushing for that wild card to help fix the state's budget problems. There are currently seven bills that would allow for a lottery on the table. This legislative session there are 5 House bills and 2 Senate bills that would allow a state lottery, but some of them have different stipulations.
But, Orr has some serious questions surrounding a state lottery.
"Tell me what the lottery is?" Orr said. "Is it an open-ended lottery? Is it going to go to education? Is it going to go to the general fund? A lot of unanswered questions."
Some of those answers lie in the current bills. Republican State Senator Trip Pittman sponsored a bill that would allow a lottery, but he only wants the state to participate in multi-state lotteries like the Powerball.
In his bill, the revenue would go into the general fund. Republican State Senator Jim McClendon, Democratic Representative John Knight and Republican Representative Alan Harper have all sponsored bills supporting a lottery this session.
Harper's bill doesn't indicate where the revenue would go, but he says he can make it more clear.
"I'm willing and have been all along to accept an amendment as to the distribution of revenues," Harper said.
In a house bill proposed by Democratic Representative Craig Ford, the revenue would go to college scholarships and would prohibit casinos.
Despite the support from those lawmakers, Orr still has reservations.
"I'd be concerned about the impact on the poor and those that play the lottery games and study after study after study says that the government really is profiting off the backs of the poor," Orr said.
Representative Craig Ford also sponsored a bill to allow gaming at race tracks to generate revenue. If these bills passed, residents would then vote on a lottery.
The Illinois lottery sure isn't doing too much to fix Illinois' budget problems.
Come on at least let the people vote on Mega & Powerball so they don't have to drive to the next state to play.
Lol
Yeah, the politicians are to blame, despite the lottery adding hundreds of millions of dollars to the bottom line every year. Dopey politicians always want to spend more.
Todd,
That's very true but sadly almost every state that proposes a lottery uses the same spiel which all too often turns out to be nothing but empty promises.
I'm not so sure about that. State lotteries have mostly over-performed, and they have largely delivered the dollars that they promised. It's the state governments that keep wanting more because they insist on spending too much money.
When proposing a state lottery, many legislators were guilty of exaggerating the effect of lottery revenues and lots of people assumed a lottery could be a "fix all" solution especially for education. It's doubtful there is a state lottery with a substantial decrease in revenues or a state legislation that expects lottery revenues to "fix budget problems".
True.....but from the OP:
In his bill, the revenue would go into the general fund. Republican State Senator Jim McClendon, Democratic Representative John Knight and Republican Representative Alan Harper have all sponsored bills supporting a lottery this session.
it's the government officials that sponsor the bills, the lottery people come if the bills pass. It's as if the government officials see it as an opportunity to plunder a cash cow.
It would be terrific to have an Alabama State Lottery. I presently have to drive 30 miles to the Florida Line to buy lottery tickets. I wish Alabama would include winners not having to reveal their identity if they win as part of the lottery. I believe it would pass by a wide margin today.