Two lottery bills were introduced in the Alabama Senate on March 19, and observers believe the issue is once again headed to a statewide ballot.
Sen. Jim McClendon (R-Dist. 11) introduced Senate Bill 116, known as the Alabama Lottery Act, which would create a lottery commission and lays out administrative details of the proposed lottery.
Senate Bill 130 proposes an amendment to Alabama’s constitution to establish a state lottery, along with entities to run the lottery. During a press conference McClendon said the proposal would not change the status of casinos and card or table games, which are illegal in Alabama.
The proposal would split lottery proceeds evenly between the Education Trust Fund and the General Fund.
In a March 20 email Joe Godfrey, executive director of Alabama Citizens Action Program (ALCAP), said “the general feeling is that a lottery bill will pass the Legislature and be placed on the ballot as a constitutional amendment for the people of Alabama to decide.” (TAB)
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