Alabama's Gambling Bill Gains Momentum with Protests Silenced in Senate
In Alabama, the drive to legalize gambling and introduce a state lottery has begun with a triumph, though not without strong opposition in the Senate.
The Senate's President Pro Tem Del Marsh (R-Anniston), who sponsored a bill to legalize gambling at the state's grayhound racetracks, saw the Tourism and Marketing Committee approve his legislation by a 6-2 vote. Meanwhile, a different gambling bill, proposed by Senator Trip Pittman (R-Montgomery) and calling for a lottery without casino gaming, was rejected by the committee.
This was no surprise considering Del Marsh presides over this committee. But the topic of gambling continues to be a polarizing issue amongst Alabama legislators.
Popular opinion is on Del Marsh's side, as indicated by a recent poll suggesting that residents want the chance to vote on both a lottery and gaming. The proposed legislation would need an amendment to the Alabama State Constitution, necessitating a public vote for approval.
Embracing the Contradiction
A report commissioned by Del Marsh from Auburn University at Montgomery estimated that gambling expansion would create around 11,000 jobs and fetch up to $400 million for the state. Del Marsh pitching SB 454 as an alternative to Governor Robert Bentley's proposed $541 million tax hike.
However, not everybody is on board with the initiative. Governor Bentley has criticized the bill as the "worst piece of legislation" he has ever seen. His Republican colleagues weren't any more positive. Senator Dick Brewbaker condemned the decision, calling it a betrayal of the party's values. He once saw gambling as a quintessential issue of the Democrats.
"When you've experienced such a drastic turnaround, I'm telling you, there's something rotten here," Brewbaker said. "Republicans, when you return to your districts, just tell the people who supported you that we're the party of gaming."
Brewbaker was particularly irked by the notion of victimizing people through gambling expansion, a notion he found hypocritical.
Nipping at Hypocrisy
Senator Bobby Singleton (D-Greensboro) took issue with Brewbaker, accusing him of being a hypocrite for speaking out against poor people and not advocating for more jobs in lower-income communities before.
Singleton pointed to Alabama's low property taxes and lack of effort to raise car taxes, and questioned the honesty of the opposition.
Moving forward, the bill will head to the full Senate where it will likely encounter significant resistance.
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