MONTGOMERY — The Alabama Senate on Thursday discussed SB 214, a bill by Senator Del Marsh (R-Anniston) that would propose a constitutional amendment to legalize casino gaming and institute a state-run lottery benefiting education in the state of Alabama.
The legislation was formally introduced on Tuesday and unanimously given a favorable report by the Senate Tourism Committee on Wednesday.
“I think I could’ve passed the bill today,” Marsh told reporters on Thursday afternoon following adjournment.
However, as was praised by several of his colleagues on the floor, Marsh is not just trying to get the requisite number of votes needed to pass in the upper chamber. He is earnestly listening to feedback from fellow legislators, stakeholders and members of the public throughout the legislative process in order to develop the best possible bill that accurately reflects what the people of Alabama support.
The bill was ultimately carried over on Thursday after every senator who wanted to speak on the bill raised concerns or asked questions was given unlimited time to do so. Marsh will now use the legislature’s break next week to continue listening and then incorporate feedback into a substitute version of SB 214 that should hit the Senate floor on Tuesday, February 23.
Senator Jim McClendon (R-Springville), who has introduced his own lottery legislation in the past, praised Marsh’s diligent and collaborative work on the bill to this point.
“What a heroic effort, getting all these cats herded … it’s not over, but it’s incredible,” lauded McClendon.
McClendon and others voiced aspects of the bill they would like to see tweaked or clarified, however, the overwhelming sentiment of the body was optimism, as the legislature could be closing in on a historic compromise to allow the people of Alabama to voice their opinion on the issue. If SB 214 passes with at least a 3/5 vote in each chamber, Alabamians would get to vote on the measure in a referendum.
“I do believe it is time in Alabama for us to address the issue of gaming once and for all,” Marsh stressed on the floor. “My goal is to put something before the people of Alabama that treats the state fairly in terms of revenues to be anticipated and has the dollars going to specific programs that the people of Alabama want to see it go to.”
“Remember, whatever we do, whatever decisions we make, whatever document we pass, ultimately the people of this state will make the final decision — and that’s what I want to see happen,” he added.
Senator Rodger Smitherman (D-Birmingham) called the bill “a golden opportunity” for the Yellowhammer State.
Marsh said the thing he is receiving the most pushback on is the granting of exclusive casino rights to five designated sites. He expressed openness to allowing two additional casino sites, which would be named at a later time by the newly created Alabama Gaming Commission. This would allow sites left out of the current legislation, such as existing electronic bingo operators like the Southern Star Casino in White Hall, to have the opportunity to operate legitimate facilities.
Senator Donnie Chesteen (R-Geneva) was one such legislator who voiced acute concern with this aspect of the bill, as a Dothan-area facility in his district would be left out under the current draft of SB 214. Marsh’s potential change would let this facility go before the commission in a bid to become one of the final two designated sites.
Senator Greg Albritton (R-Atmore), the General Fund budget chairman in the upper chamber, implored his colleagues to ultimately support the bill when it comes to a vote.
“It solves the problems we have here in Alabama,” Albritton outlined. “And what I mean by that is we take control, the state takes back, control of what’s happening in Alabama, legally and regulatory. Right now we have a Wild West out there.”
Another win the bill would deliver for the state, he continued to emphasize, is an unprecedented increase in revenue.
“If you are a senator that has a portion of rural Alabama that is struggling with a rural hospital that is trying to make ends meet, is trying to serve its people, that’s on threat of closing its doors, and you vote against this bill — you’re killing your rural hospital. This bill provides funding to rural hospitals and rural health care,” Albritton said. “If you vote against it, that’s what you’re going to be voting against.”
He reiterated the parallel point about a vote against SB 214 being a vote against expanding high-speed internet access in rural Alabama.
“If you have an area [that is severely unserved or underserved] and you vote against this bill, you’re going to be voting to keep that area in the Stone Age,” Albritton warned his colleagues. “If you vote against this bill, you’re going to be voting to keep the people in rural Alabama in the backwoods rather than on the front lines of the economy.”
He concluded by urging any legislators with concerns about the bill to truly work with Marsh on finding areas of compromise.
“Ladies and gentlemen … consider becoming a part of the solution,” Albritton said. “Reach out, if you will, to try to find the path that can get your vote. Reach out to find the path in which you can be a player in this and part of the solution rather than continuing to be a part of the problem.”
Read a live tweet thread from the proceedings here.
Sean Ross is the editor of Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @sean_yhn
