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 later this summer or soon after.
Several Alabama legislators have lottery bills in the works, including House Minority Leader Craig Ford, D-Gadsden, and Sen. Jim McClendon, R-Springville.
"The constituents in my district have made it clear to me that they don't understand why we don't have a lottery," McClendon said in a recent AL.com story. "The people of Alabama want it and the people of Alabama deserve the opportunity to vote yes or no."
Ford's bill would funnel lottery revenue toward education purposes, including two-year scholarships.
Alabama is one of six states to not have a lottery system. Only Mississippi, Utah, Alaska, Hawaii and Nevada are also without a lottery.
Good Lawd, maybe, just maybe, this will come to fruition. I almost choked on lunch reading this.
Bleudog101, Do not choke on your lunch! We need your support here.
People Power! Allow a vote by the voters.
Right now, people in Alabama see this a joke. You promise everyone everything you believe that help you keep your seat in office. We all know you're not going to actually do what you promise to do. MR. Ford's bill to funnel revenue toward education purposes, including two year scholarships . You need to really expand your thinking. Just my view.
Ugh.... Really Alabama let the people vote... SMH
With you. Anybody taking odds that one of the other states will get a lottery before ALA. off the the lists?
The Alabama governor has called a special session to focus solely on the lottery.
Good luck Alabama!
Depends on whether this special session results in the legislature voting on a lottery, or all Alabamians voting on it. If the Legislature votes on it, it'll be approved, if the people vote it'll be voted down and Alaska will 100% chance be the next state to get a lottery.