Alabama Gov. says lottery opponents 'should be ashamed of themselves'

Aug 29, 2016, 7:29 am (11 comments)

Alabama

MONTGOMERY, Ala. — After going back and forth during a special session of the Alabama Legislature, Friday, lawmakers declared the lottery bill dead.

That means you won't have the chance to vote for or against a state lottery this November.

Governor Robert Bentley's frustration was evident this weekend during an interview with local media. He said lawmakers standing in the way of what he calls "Alabama Progress" should be ashamed of themselves.

Bentley says the debate over a state lottery isn't just about gambling.  "As long as I'm Governor, we're going to help people. This is a people issue. It's really not a lottery issue," he says.

The Governor sees the lottery as the only option for the cash-strapped state to fully fund Medicaid and other initiatives, despite voting against a state lottery himself, 17 years ago. "I voted against it in '99 but I wasn't Governor in '99 and I didn't have to solve problems in '99 but we're out of options," says Bentley.

He used pointed words when we asked him who is responsible for the bill's failure.  "I don't have to identify them but there are people in this state that really don't want the state of Alabama to progress. They don't want things to get better and they know who they are. I don't really have to name them," he says.

Now that the bill is dead, at least for this special session, Governor Bentley pledges he'll still work on getting the referendum to the ballot box, and hasn't ruled out calling another special legislative session.  "I've not made that decision yet. I want to say this. As a doctor and as a Governor I cannot standby and let children that have been born into poverty in this state, suffer so we're going to do whatever's necessary," says Bentley.

The Governor admitted voters won't likely see the lottery issue on a ballot this year, but that it's still a fight he's willing to gamble on. "Monday we will start working on that again. We'll look at all of our alternatives, look at all of our options. I don't know that it will but you know the people of Alabama want to vote on this. I mean it is a very positive issue right now," he says.

There is still hope for solving the state's $85 million shortfall for Medicaid funding. The House passed a bill that would use BP Oil Settlement funds to cover that. The Senate is expected to vote on it, September 6th.

WHNT, Lottery Post Staff

Comments

Bleudog101

Well maybe if he wasn't so hard-headed about Medicaid funding his state would not be in the predicament it is in.  Too many politicians dead set against President Obama and the Affordable Care Act.  The funds were available but you, like a few others, said 'No'.

sully16's avatarsully16

What a disaster.

Stack47

Quote: Originally posted by Bleudog101 on Aug 29, 2016

Well maybe if he wasn't so hard-headed about Medicaid funding his state would not be in the predicament it is in.  Too many politicians dead set against President Obama and the Affordable Care Act.  The funds were available but you, like a few others, said 'No'.

Governor Bentley has some serious legal problems and a sex scandal to deal with, but regardless of his problems, it was the wording in the legislation causing the meltdown.

patann

Hello, I am new to the site, and have an opinion concerning the lottery.

I am in total agreement with Gov. Bentley. The lottery would help the state of Alabama.

There are people going into Georgia every day to buy tickets. Have bought a few myself

Why are a "certain few" opposing the lottery? This state would do well if "we the People" had a chance to vote on it.

The money should be set aside for the elderly, and those that are not able to help themselves.

I would not put a dime into education "schools"........Just put prayer back into the class rooms, and the schools would be able to stand alone.

Listen to The People's voice please. If our state had a lottery we would not need as much federal assistance.

Money from proceeds should be in a stand alone fund, handled by people with integrity........

No slush fund....

patann

I could care less about Gov. Bentley's sex scandal. wording on the legislation should be worked on (pronto) and get the lottery on the ballot to be voted on this November. I do believe getting the wording right is what they are being paid for.

I am only interested in the good of our great state.

LiveInGreenBay's avatarLiveInGreenBay

Quote: Originally posted by Bleudog101 on Aug 29, 2016

Well maybe if he wasn't so hard-headed about Medicaid funding his state would not be in the predicament it is in.  Too many politicians dead set against President Obama and the Affordable Care Act.  The funds were available but you, like a few others, said 'No'.

Actually from what I understand about obamacare... The feds would have covered medicaid for three years, after that the States are on their own.  In the meantime, medicaid enrollment in those States would increase many times leaving the States with an even bigger budget problem.  The problem isn't money for medicaid, its way too many poor people in this country.  What has obama done to alleviate that problem?

destinycreation

Quote: Originally posted by patann on Aug 30, 2016

Hello, I am new to the site, and have an opinion concerning the lottery.

I am in total agreement with Gov. Bentley. The lottery would help the state of Alabama.

There are people going into Georgia every day to buy tickets. Have bought a few myself

Why are a "certain few" opposing the lottery? This state would do well if "we the People" had a chance to vote on it.

The money should be set aside for the elderly, and those that are not able to help themselves.

I would not put a dime into education "schools"........Just put prayer back into the class rooms, and the schools would be able to stand alone.

Listen to The People's voice please. If our state had a lottery we would not need as much federal assistance.

Money from proceeds should be in a stand alone fund, handled by people with integrity........

No slush fund....

 "I would not put a dime into education "schools"........Just put prayer back into the class rooms, and the schools would be able to stand alone."

 

What do you mean by you "would not put a dime into education" ???  Why Not ??

Personally, I am in favor of putting PRAYER back into public schools. However, PRAYER ALONE will not Fund the Educational System , in any state.  Thus, the Schools WILL NOT be able to "Stand Alone" !!!

patann

I meant exactly what I said. Schools get money from taxes, and grants!!!

I am interested in those that are no longer able to care for themselves......

Senior citizens - and the children who are handicapped, as well as others that can no longer work due to poor health.

  Seems like the schools are in force, and we do not have a lottery "YET"

Yes, we agree on prayer......!!!!

patann

Obama......So far,  everything he has done has not been for the good of the people.

LottoAce's avatarLottoAce

Sad, to see the suffering of so many, because of the poor choices of so few.

Bleudog101

Quote: Originally posted by patann on Aug 31, 2016

Obama......So far,  everything he has done has not been for the good of the people.

Todd's rules are stay with the subject area.  Guess you've never read President Barack Obama's C.V.; but then again you probably don't know what that is.

 

We've done very well under President Obama, so put some honey in your coffee and sweeten your sour puss up a bit.

End of comments
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