Impeachment proceedings against Governor Bentley are heating up, but amid controversy he’s announced that he will create a study committee to resolve Alabama’s gaming woes.
“My personal feeling is that this issue, nine years from now, will be the same with the next governor as it is today,” Governor Bentley said.
At a press conference on Monday, he said he believed that the matter wouldn’t be resolved until the people of Alabama are allowed to consider a Constitutional Amendment.
“There has to be something put before the people of this state so they can vote on it,” he said. “I don’t believe it’s ever going to be resolved unless the people are a part of that solution.”
The Governor cited ongoing controversy over the state’s gaming laws as the reason for forming the committee, which will be called the Alabama Advisory Council on Gaming.
“A considerable amount of time, a considerable amount of money has been spent dealing with this issue,” Bentley said. “This issue is not going away. Unless we get some good recommendations from some entity, and finally resolve this, it will never go away.”
Bentley said the council will examine current state laws, look at revenue that could be generated by gaming, and will also examine best practices that have been implemented in other states.
“The ongoing issue of gaming needs to be solved once and for all, and I want this council to take a comprehensive look at the issue, and then I want them to provide me, and the Pro Tem., and the Speaker with some solutions,” he said. “The state of Alabama needs a fresh look at this issue. Past efforts have not solved this problem, and we need a clear path forward on gaming and games of chance.”
Those appointed to the committee have not yet been announced. Members of the council are expected to present their recommendations to the Governor, the President Pro Tem of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House by January 31, 2017.
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