If some proponents of a controversial gambling bill now pending in the Alabama Legislature get their way, “Bingo for Books” could also become “Bingo for Beds.”
In its original form, House Bill 537 calls for a statewide constitutional amendment that would legalize bingo at all dog tracks in Alabama. It provides for a 10 percent state tax to be levied on the net revenue of the games, which would raise an estimated $50 million a year for the Education Trust Fund. The bill quickly passed the Senate in March but getting it through the House has proven to be a bigger hurdle.
Reported out of the House Tourism committee in early April, the bill may now be rewritten in an effort by supporters to gain enough votes to get it through the legislature and onto the November ballot. According to recent reports in The Birmingham News, proposed changes would raise the state tax to 16 percent, allot nothing to local governments, and divide the proceeds between the Education Trust Fund and Medicaid. If the bill were to pass in its amended form in the House, it would return to the Senate for further consideration there.
Opponents of the bill are reacting to talk of an amended bill with much the same skepticism as they have to the original version, according to Dan Ireland, executive director of the Alabama Citizens Action Program. They believe including Medicaid, along with the Education Trust Fund, as a beneficiary of potential tax revenues is simply another attempt to sway legislators who would otherwise be opposed to gambling.
“The Educational Trust Fund budget is not hurting,” said Ireland. “In fact, the governor has in his proposed budget a line item of $57 million for books.
The hurt is in the General Fund budget, particularly with Medicaid. They (the bill’s supporters) figure if they can put something in there for Medicaid, they might swing some more votes their way.”
At this point, though, House passage of the bill hinges on a number of factors falling into place, one of them being passage of a budget isolation resolution to even bring the bingo bill up for a vote.
“It’s just a conglomeration of contingencies right now,” said Ireland, opponent of the bingo bill. “But we feel we have the upper hand. We’re working to get our people to stay on the floor and to be alert and we’ll do our best to see the bill doesn’t get on the ballot. If they don’t get 63 votes (the number of votes required for House passage), the ball game’s over.”
Other bills currently under consideration in the Alabama Legislature include:
House Bill 147 sponsored by Rep. John Rogers, D-Birmingham, that proposes to repeal Section 65 of the state constitution. An amendment to this effect, said Ireland, would virtually remove any prohibition of any type of gambling in the State of Alabama.
Senate Bill 449, a local bill affecting Greene County, sponsored by Sen. Charles Steele Jr., D-Tuscaloosa. If passed, this bill would increase the maximum number of racing days at Greenetrack.
Senate Bill 450, a local bill affecting Greene County, also sponsored by Sen. Steele. If passed, this bill would allow Sunday liquor sales at Greenetrack.
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