Campaign signs and commercials will soon inundate Alabamians’ lives as we prepare to enter the 2010 election season. Among those up for election/re-election are state senators and representatives (not including those elected in the past few weeks). The Alabama Baptist has compiled the following gambling-related information for use as a resource.
The information was gathered from the Alabama Legislature during the 2008 and 2009 legislative sessions. For articles related to gambling and recent years’ legislative sessions, visit www.thealabamabaptist.org. For information about how to contact your legislators, visit www.alcap.com or call 205-985-9062.
Senators
Lowell Barron (D-Fyffe)
Voted to expand gambling in Macon County in 2008. Voted yes to placing SB 470 (which would have prevented the further expansion of gambling in Alabama) in subcommittee.
Scott Beason (R-Gardendale)
Opposed SB 135. Sponsored SB 275 to make gambling illegal in the state. Encouraged Alabamians to fight against gambling.
Roger Bedford Jr. (D-Russellville)
Said SB 135 falls under the local legislation tradition.
Kim S. Benefield (D-Woodland)
Passed on vote to expand gambling in Macon County in 2008.
Charles Bishop (R-Jasper)
Worked to eliminate electronic bingo in Walker County in 2008 and 2009. Wanted “amendments (to the Sweet Home Alabama bill) that will only affect Walker County.”
Ben Brooks (R-Mobile)
Said he would vote no to SB 135. Helped filibuster the Macon County bingo bill in 2008.
Tom Butler (D-Madison)
Said he would vote no to SB 135. Helped filibuster the Macon County bingo bill in 2008.
Linda Coleman (D-Birmingham)
Voted to expand gambling in Macon County in 2008.
Bobby Denton (D-Muscle Shoals)
Passed on vote to expand gambling in Macon County in 2008.
Larry Dixon (R-Montgomery)
Voted to expand gambling in Macon County in 2008.
Hank Erwin Jr. (R-Montevallo)
Opposed to legalizing electronic bingo gambling and any expansion of gambling. Sponsored SB 470 to prevent the further expansion of gambling. Fights pro-gambling legislation regularly.
Vivian Davis Figures (D-Mobile)
Voted to expand gambling in Macon County in 2008.
Steve French (R-Birmingham)
Helped filibuster the Macon County bingo bill in 2008.
Rusty Glover (R-Semmes)
Said he would vote no to SB 135.
Jimmy Holley (R-Elba)
Introduced Covington County bill to shift authority for regulating bingo permits from the sheriff to the County Commission. Helped filibuster the Macon County bingo bill in 2008.
Ted Little (D-Auburn)
Voted to expand gambling in Macon County in 2008.
Zeb Little (D-Cullman)
Supported Sweet Home Alabama bill in committee meeting. Said state code “does not say no gambling; it says no lotteries.”
Del Marsh (R-Anniston)
Said “gambling is an addiction.” Challenged the Sweet Home Alabama bill in committee meeting, described slot machines.
Larry Means (D-Attalla)
Said he would vote no to bring up SB 135 but would abstain if the bill were brought for a vote.
Wendell Mitchell (D-Luverne)
Passed on vote to expand gambling in Macon County in 2008.
Hinton Mitchem (D-Union Grove)
Voted to expand gambling in Macon County in 2008.
Arthur Orr (R-Decatur)
Said he would vote no on SB 135.
Myron Penn (D-Union Springs)
In 2008, sponsored Macon County bingo bill, which would have prevented electronic gambling machines in Macon County, including those at Milton McGregor’s VictoryLand racetrack, from ever being confiscated or declared illegal.
Trip Pittman (R-Daphne)
Said he would vote no on SB 135.
Phil Poole (D-Moundville)
Says he has always voted against gambling legislation in his 20-year history with the state Legislature. At the same time, he does follow the legislators’ local courtesy practice of not voting against bills deemed local legislation. In these cases, if the bills are gambling-related, then he abstains from voting rather than voting for or against the bill.
Jim Preuitt (D-Talladega)
Voted to expand gambling in Macon County in 2008.
Quinton Ross Jr. (D-Montgomery)
Sponsored Sweet Home Alabama bill. In favor of signing a compact dealing with gambling with Poarch Band of Creek Indians.
Hank Sanders (D-Selma)
Sponsored SB 578, which proposed a compact between the state and the Poarch Band of Creek Indians. The bill sought to “limit Class III gaming to Indian facilities and would provide that the state could receive a portion of the revenue of gaming.” Supported establishing a bingo commission.
Bobby Singleton (D-Greensboro)
Chairs committee (Tourism and Marketing) that has consistently passed pro-gambling bills out of committee while not passing antigambling bills out as consistently. Sponsored Greene County gambling expansion bills in 2008 and 2009. Said he thinks Class III gambling will come to the state. In favor of signing a compact dealing with gambling with Poarch Band of Creek Indians.
Harri Anne Smith (R-Slocomb)
Chose not to respond to questions regarding SB 135 vote as well as questions dealing with Country Crossing. Said in 2008, “I am opposed to any form of gambling. … When the citizens of any community face a political and moral issue as significant … as whether … to allow a casino into their county, the people, not the elected officials, should have the right to make the decision.”
Rodger Smitherman (D-Birmingham)
Supported Sweet Home Alabama bill in committee meeting. “I think it’s time we allow the people in the various communities to vote and decide what they want to do.”
Jabo Waggoner (R-Birmingham)
Issued the only dissenting vote against the Sweet Home Alabama bill before it passed out of the Senate’s Tourism and Marketing Committee April 1. “I plan to vote against it at every opportunity I have. … I am opposed to any gambling legislation I feel will not deliver the kind of Alabama I think we need to have.” Helped filibuster the Macon County bingo bill in 2008.
Representatives
Gerald Allen (R-Cottondale)
Said he would vote no on HB 363.
Alan Baker (R-Brewton)
Said he would vote no on HB 363.
Sonny Baker (D-Abbeville)
Voted to bring up bingo bill for two racetracks in 2008.
Mike Ball (R-Huntsville)
Said he would vote no on HB 363. Co-sponsored HB 425 to prevent legislators from passing any gambling bills and to require a statewide vote on all gambling legislation.
George Bandy (D-Opelika)
Voted to bring up bingo bill for two racetracks in 2008.
Jim Barton (R-Mobile)
Voted to bring up bingo bill for two racetracks in 2008.
Billy Beasley (D-Clayton)
Voted to bring up bingo bill for two racetracks in 2008.
Warren Beck (R-Geneva)
Voted to bring up bingo bill for two racetracks in 2008.
Robert Bentley (R-Tuscaloosa)
Said he would vote no on HB 363.
Marcel Black (D-Tuscumbia)
Sponsored the Sweet Home Alabama bill. In 2008, sponsored a bill that would have authorized high-stakes, fast-paced electronic “bingo for profit” at the Birmingham and Mobile racetracks. “I’m trying to limit, control, regulate and tax [bingo].”
Alan Boothe (D-Troy)
Voted to bring up bingo bill for two racetracks in 2008.
Barbara Boyd (D-Anniston)
Voted to bring up bingo bill for two racetracks in 2008.
Duwayne Bridges (R-Valley)
Said he would vote no on HB 363. Co-sponsored HB 425 to prevent legislators from passing any gambling bills and to require a statewide vote on all gambling legislation.
James Buskey (D-Mobile)
Said he was “not ready to comment” on HB 363, but added that he would “be for that bill … to have a statewide commission.”
Greg Canfield (R-Vestavia Hills)
Said he would vote no on HB 363.
Steve Clouse (R-Ozark)
Voted against bringing up bingo bill for two racetracks in 2008.
Merika Coleman (D-Birmingham)
Did not respond regarding vote on HB 363.
Spencer Collier (R-Irvington)
Said he would vote no on HB 363.
Mike Curtis (D-Florence)
Did not respond regarding vote on HB 363.
Randy Davis (R-Daphne)
Said he would vote no on HB 363.
Paul DeMarco (R-Homewood)
Said he would vote no on HB 363.
Owen Drake (R-Leeds)
Said he would vote no on HB 363.
Bill Dukes (D-Decatur)
Said he would vote no on HB 363.
Priscilla Dunn (D-Bessemer)
Voted to bring up bingo bill for two racetracks in 2008.
Chris England (D-Tuscaloosa)
Voted to bring up bingo bill for two racetracks in 2008.
Joe Faust (R-Fairhope)
Voted to bring up bingo bill for two racetracks in 2008.
James Fields Jr. (D-Hanceville)
Voted against bringing up bingo bill for two racetracks in 2008.
Chad Fincher (R-Semmes)
Said he would vote no on HB 363.
Lea Fite (D-Jacksonville)
Said he would vote no on HB 363. Did not support the Sweet Home Alabama bill because it included Calhoun County. Sponsored an amendment removing Calhoun County because the people of the county already voted and it was only for “paper bingo.”
Craig Ford (D-Gadsden)
Voted to bring up bingo bill for two racetracks in 2008. Sponsored HB 622 to establish a gaming commission in the state.
Blaine Galliher (R-Gadsden)
Said he would vote no on HB 363. Said he thinks the people have already spoken about gambling. Supports St. Clair County sheriff in his fight against illegal gambling.
Victor Gaston (R-Mobile)
Said he would vote no on HB 363.
Mac Gipson Jr. (R-Prattville)
Said he “may abstain” from vote on HB 363. During public hearing on Sweet Home Alabama bill, he made negative comments about one organization whose representative was speaking against the bill. He also noted that state code “refers to lotteries; does not include the word bingo. Raffles are probably more illegal than bingo machines.” Sponsored HB 833 to prohibit Class II electronic bingo gambling machines in Autauga County, and co-sponsored HB 832 to prohibit Class II electronic bingo gambling machines in Elmore County.
James Gordon (D-Saraland)
Voted to bring up bingo bill for two racetracks in 2008.
Betty Carol Graham (D-Alexander City)
Voted to bring up bingo bill for two racetracks in 2008.
Ronald Grantland (D-Hartselle)
Voted to bring up bingo bill for two racetracks in 2008.
Todd Greeson (R-Ider)
Voted to bring up bingo bill for two racetracks in 2008.
David Grimes (R-Montgomery)
Said he would vote no on HB 363. Also opposed the Sweet Home Alabama bill because it tried to call something that is not legal — slot machines — bingo and it tried to tax something that is not legal. Wants to wait on the Governor’s Task Force on Illegal Gambling before passing bingo gambling bills.
Ken Guin (D-Carbon Hill)
Did not support 2008 bill to eliminate electronic bingo in Walker County.
Laura Hall (D-Huntsville)
Voted to bring up bingo bill for two racetracks in 2008.
Seth Hammett (D-Andalusia)
Sponsored HB 821 to shift authority for regulating bingo permits in Covington County from the sheriff to the County Commission.
Micky Hammon (R-Decatur)
Said he would vote no on HB 363.
Alan Harper (D-Aliceville)
Voted to bring up bingo bill for two racetracks in 2008.
Mike Hill (R-Columbiana)
Voted against bringing up bingo bill for two racetracks in 2008.
Earl Hilliard Jr. (D-Birmingham)
Did not respond regarding vote on HB 363.
Randy Hinshaw (D-Meridianville)
Said he would vote yes on HB 363.
Alvin Holmes (D-Montgomery)
Voted to bring up bingo bill for two racetracks in 2008.
Ralph Howard (D-Greensboro)
Voted to bring up bingo bill for two racetracks in 2008.
Mike Hubbard (R-Auburn)
Said he would vote no on HB 363.
Steve Hurst (D-Munford)
Said he would vote no on HB 363.
Tammy Irons (D-Florence)
Voted to bring up bingo bill for two racetracks in 2008.
Jamie Ison (R-Mobile)
Voted to bring up bingo bill for two racetracks in 2008.
Thomas Jackson (D-Thomasville)
Voted to bring up bingo bill for two racetracks in 2008.
Ronald Johnson (R-Sylacauga)
Voted against bringing up bingo bill for two racetracks in 2008.
Marc Keahey (D-Grove Hill and recently elected as a state senator)
Voted to bring up bingo bill for two racetracks in 2008.
Yvonne Kennedy (D-Mobile)
Voted to bring up bingo bill for two racetracks in 2008.
John Knight Jr. (D-Montgomery)
Co-sponsored Sweet Home Alabama bill. Voted to bring up bingo bill for two racetracks in 2008.
Richard Laird (D-Roanoke)
Opposed to HB 363. Co-sponsored HB 425 to prevent legislators from passing any gambling bills and to require a statewide vote on all gambling legislation. Has publicly opposed expanding gambling in the state.
Jody Letson (D-Moulton)
Voted to bring up bingo bill for two racetracks in 2008.
Benjamin Lewis (R-Dothan)
Said he would vote no on HB 363. Said in 2008, “I am philosophically opposed to gambling. … It’s wrong for the government to encourage immoral activity.”
Richard Lindsey (D-Centre)
Co-sponsored Sweet Home Alabama bill. Voted to bring up bingo bill for two racetracks in 2008.
Jay Love (R-Montgomery)
Said he would vote no on HB 363.
Jimmy Martin (D-Clanton)
Said “haven’t decided, haven’t studied” HB 363.
Barry Mask (R-Wetumpka)
Said he would vote no on HB 363. Co-sponsored HB 832 to prohibit Class II electronic bingo machines in Elmore County. Questioned the Sweet Home Alabama bill in committee.
A.J. McCampbell (D-Linden)
Sponsored HB 363 and a similar bill in 2008.
Thad McClammy (D-Montgomery)
Did not respond regarding vote on HB 363.
Jim McClendon (R-Springville)
Said he would vote no on HB 363.
Mary Sue McClurkin (R-Indian Springs)
Said she would vote no on HB 363.
Mac McCutcheon (R-Capshaw)
Did not respond regarding vote on HB 363. Co-sponsored HB 425 to prevent legislators from passing any gambling bills and to require a statewide vote on all gambling legislation.
Frank McDaniel (D-Albertville)
Said he would vote no on HB 363.
Jeff McLaughlin (D-Guntersville)
Voted against bringing up bingo bill for two racetracks in 2008.
Steve McMillan (R-Bay Minette)
Voted against bringing up bingo bill for two racetracks in 2008.
Mike Millican (D-Hamilton)
Said he would vote no on HB 363.
Joseph Mitchell (D-Mobile)
Said he is not opposed to gambling but would vote no on HB 363.
Mary Moore (D-Birmingham)
Said she would vote yes on HB 363.
Pat Moore (R-Pleasant Grove)
Said she would vote no on HB 363.
Johnny Mack Morrow (D-Red Bay)
Did not respond regarding vote on HB 363. Chairs committee (Tourism and Travel) that has consistently passed pro-gambling bills while not passing anti-gambling bills out as consistently. Provided positive testimony of Ronnie Gilley Properties, which is building Country Crossing, during public hearing about the Sweet Home Alabama bill.
Charles Newton (D-Greenville)
Said “haven’t studied (HB 363) … not sure.”
Demetrius Newton (D-Birmingham)
Voted to bring up bingo bill for two racetracks in 2008.
Jeremy Oden (R-Eva)
Voted to bring up bingo bill for two racetracks in 2008.
Jack Page (D-Gadsden)
Voted to bring up bingo bill for two racetracks in 2008.
Arthur Payne (R-Trussville)
Opposed to HB 363. Stopped it from passing as local legislation. Said “if you legalize (gambling) anywhere, then you open it up for the state.”
John Robinson (D-Scottsboro)
Voted to bring up bingo bill for two racetracks in 2008.
Oliver Leon Robinson Jr. (D-Birmingham)
Voted to bring up bingo bill for two racetracks in 2008.
John Rogers Jr. (D-Birmingham)
Supported HB 363. Sponsored 2009 bills to establish a gaming commission, a tribal-state compact with the Poarch Band of Creek Indians and a gaming control and revenue act.
Yusuf Salaam (D-Selma)
Voted to bring up bingo bill for two racetracks in 2008.
Howard Sanderford (R-Huntsville)
Said he would vote no on HB 363.
Rod Scott (D-Fairfield)
Voted to bring up bingo bill for two racetracks in 2008.
Tommy Sherer (D-Jasper)
Said he would vote no on HB 363. Worked in 2008 to eliminate electronic bingo from Walker County. “I’ve always voted against gambling of any kind.”
Harry Shiver (R-Bay Minette)
Voted to bring up bingo bill for two racetracks in 2008.
Terry Spicer (D-Elba)
Voted to bring up bingo bill for two racetracks in 2008.
Butch Taylor (D-New Hope)
Voted to bring up bingo bill for two racetracks in 2008.
William Thigpen Sr. (D-Fayette)
Said he would vote no on HB 363 in its “unamended state.”
Elwyn Thomas (R-Oneonta)
Said he would vote no on HB 363.
James Thomas (D-Selma)
Did not respond regarding vote on HB 363. Has fought for and protected the White Hall electronic gambling facility for several years. Co-sponsored HB 833 to prohibit Class II electronic bingo machines in Autauga County. During Sweet Home Alabama bill public hearing, he had several private conversations with various people, including Alabama Education Association’s Paul Hubbert, as parts of the bill and amendments were being debated.
Patricia Todd (D-Birmingham)
Said she would vote yes on HB 363.
Allen Treadaway (R-Morris)
Said he would vote no on HB 363. Co-sponsored HB 425 to prevent legislators from passing any gambling bills and to require a statewide vote on all gambling legislation.
Lesley Vance (D-Phenix City)
Did not respond regarding vote on HB 363. Sponsored HB 929 to authorize bingo in Russell County.
Cam Ward (R-Alabaster)
Said he would vote no on HB 363. Said he thinks town halls are the best way to defeat gambling.
Pebblin Warren (D-Tuskegee)
Voted to bring up bingo bill for two racetracks in 2008.
Henry White (D-Athens)
Voted to bring up bingo bill for two racetracks in 2008.
Jack Williams (R-Birmingham)
Said he would vote no on HB 363.
Randy Wood (R-Anniston)
Said he would vote no on HB 363. Sponsored HB 425 to prevent legislators from passing any gambling bills and to require a statewide vote on all gambling legislation.
Greg Wren (R-Montgomery)
Said he would vote no on HB 363. Co-sponsored HB 832 to prohibit Class II electronic bingo machines in Elmore County.
HB 363/SB 135 — House Bill 363 and Senate Bill 135 would have expanded and refined electronic bingo gambling in Greene County. It was the gambling legislation that came closest to a vote in the state Legislature and the only one The Alabama Baptist officially polled legislators about during the session.
Sweet Home Alabama bill — HB 676 and SB 471 — This bill would have legalized electronic bingo gambling in a set number of ‘destination’ locations, including Country Crossing in Dothan, VictoryLand in Macon County and the Birmingham Race Course. The state was hit with a widespread media blitz about this bill for weeks.
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