The 2010 Alabama legislative session is underway, and many fear this could be the make-it-or-break-it year when it comes to the moral fiber of the state. All because of an obsession by a few gambling moguls to legalize slot machines.
“We take for granted the quality of life we have in this state,” Riley told those attending the 2010 Legislative Prayer Luncheon in Montgomery Jan. 13. “It is something that I absolutely believe we need to protect.”
At times, legislators supporting gambling have said you can’t legislate morality, but Riley believes the decisions made by lawmakers are usually based on their moral compass.
“If we ever forget that, we forget the basic tenants of what this country was founded on,” he said. “This country has not become the greatest country in the world by accident. It became the greatest country in the world because of the moral foundation this country was built on, and God has blessed it because of it.”
Alabama Baptist State Convention President Jimmy Jackson, also speaking during the luncheon, challenged those in attendance to make a difference and positively influence those coming behind them.
“Who you are and what you do will live on long after you are gone,” said Jackson, pastor of Whitesburg Baptist Church, Huntsville.
“There’s one thing we have going for us. It is not our power, personality, education or money, but the impact of our example and our influence,” he said. “Our example and influence speaks for our character.”
Hebrews 13:7 “speaks of our leadership and our followership,” Jackson said.
“The people we influence … are being impacted on a regular basis not only by what we do but who we really are,” he noted. “Ask yourself, ‘If someone is imitating my faith and the product of my faithfulness, what kind of person is [he or she] going to be?’”
Pointing out that “we are only one bad choice away from stupid,” Jackson said, “[I]t is those accumulative choices we make deep down in the recesses of our soul that determine if we are honorable or dishonorable, humble or proud, if we make a difference positively or negatively.
“Character is the most powerful asset we have,” he said. And “what we watch, what we read, how we think is going to make all the difference (in the leaders of tomorrow).”
But is it too late for Alabama? Have the gambling giants dug their roots in deep enough to fight any attempt at pushing them back?
Riley doesn’t think so. He believes the faith community can make a difference, and he challenged Alabama Baptists to personally engage in the gambling debate.
At press time, four pro-gambling bills had been filed in the state Legislature, all in the House of Representatives.
- House Bill (HB) 154, sponsored by Rep. Marcel Black, D-Tuscumbia, seeks to allow Indian tribes to conduct bingo games on any machines allowed by the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA). It also attempts to redefine Alabama Constitution’s definition of “bingo” to match IGRA’s rules and allow any “non-Indian” businesses operating “Indian equivalent bingo” to operate slot machines being labeled electronic bingo gambling without risk of criminal prosecution or seizure by law enforcement.
Although many gambling supporters have said they want to “regulate and tax bingo,” this bill would make it illegal to apply “state and local sales or privilege taxes” to the “gross receipts or revenues of qualified persons derived from Indian equivalent bingo.”
But Todd Stacy, Riley’s press secretary, said the bill appears to be unconstitutional.
“Gambling is strictly prohibited by the Alabama Constitution,” he said. “You can’t pass a bill to supersede the constitution.”
Sen. Hank Erwin, R-Montevallo, agreed and said lawmakers are supposed to lead by example in obeying the laws of the state.
“I think they (supporters of this bill) are totally irresponsible,” he said. “Alabama law takes precedence for Alabama. Whatever we do in Alabama affects what the Indians can do on their reservations. If our laws say slot machines are illegal then Washington must cooperate and shut down the Indians as well. The Indians can only do what we allow.
“The courts are speaking right now and we don’t need to muddy the waters,” Erwin said. “What the courts say is what we need to do. …We need to just enforce the law. The question is not voting, the question is obeying the law.”
Erwin expects a “slug fest in the Legislature as this progresses.”
- HB 233, sponsored by Rep. John Rogers, D-Birmingham, would repeal Section 65 of the Constitution, which “prohibits the Legislature from enacting any legislation authorizing lotteries or gift enterprises.”
- HB 234, sponsored by Rogers, seeks to establish a commission to regulate gambling.
- HB235, also sponsored by Rogers, seeks to authorize “casino gaming in cities with a population of more than 100,000.”
Last year, similar bills sponsored by Rogers never made it to the full House for a vote.
Anticipated gambling bills include one on a similar scale as last year’s Sweet Home Alabama emphasis with the “points of destination” such as Houston County’s Country Crossing and Macon County’s VictoryLand.
Also anticipated is legislation against gambling, particularly one that will call for a statewide vote to officially make gambling illegal in the state.
Sen. Scott Beason, R-Gardendale, plans to file his bill soon. (Jennifer Davis Rash contributed)
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