Christians won several victories during the recent Alabama legislative session that ended May 15 and remain committed to standing their ground in the future, said Dan Ireland, director of Alabama Citizens Action Program (ALCAP).
Ireland said some 2,000 bills went before the Legislature. Of that number, he said he tracked 58 that were of a “moral nature.”
“Of course, we were able to prevent gambling legislation from passing,” he said.
Failure of a bill allowing a reduction in taxes at dog tracks and one which would have permitted video poker gambling were cited by Ireland as victories for Christians.
Rep. Arthur Payne, a member of First Baptist Church, Trussville, expressed frustration at the continued efforts of special interests who are attempting to bring gambling to the state.
“It still bothers me that lottery bills are being pushed before the Legislature, when the public has indicated they’re not interested in gambling,” Payne said.
But “overall, I think we had a pretty good session,” he said.
Substance abuse
Ireland pointed out that improvements were made in issues related to alcohol abuse.
“We were glad to see an increase in fines for DUI convictions on second and third convictions,” Ireland said. “This gives a good indication we’re (Alabama) not going to tolerate drinking and driving.”
Ireland also supported the approval of a law prohibiting open alcoholic containers in the passenger compartment of vehicles.
However, the Christian community was not as successful in seeing the passage of legislation related to the sanctity of life.
Three bills related to abortion that would have required parental consent, educating a woman about abortion and requiring physicians performing abortions to have access to local hospitals, were approved in the House but never acted on by the Senate.
“It was very unfortunate that the pro-life bills did not pass,” he said.
A bill prohibiting assisted suicide passed the state Senate, but never came to a vote in the House. “It would prevent a Kevorkian-like situation to exist in Alabama,” Ireland said, referring to Michigan suicide doctor Jack Kevorkian.
But despite victories related to gambling and setbacks on “pro-life” issues, Ireland said ALCAP will remain committed in opposing both. He said the “pro-life” bills will be back.
“We are (also) hoping for a constitutional amendment that would require a statewide vote for the expansion of any gambling in Alabama,” he said.
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