Although it took a while, last week, the State Senate sent comprehensive gaming legislation to the State House of Representatives for consideration, with a few weeks remaining until adjournment sine die.
There are signs of progress in the House, especially given the bill picked up a lead sponsor earlier this week. However, the bill is certain to look different upon passage by the lower chamber, according to State House Minority Leader Nathaniel Ledbetter (R-Rainsville).
During an appearance on Mobile radio FM Talk 106.5’s “The Jeff Poor Show,” Ledbetter explained why there was a necessity for passage of legislation for gaming in Alabama but said to expect a different bill.
“By passing a good clean bill that regulates the facilities out there that are really not operating within the parameters — not only that, but it also gives us an opportunity to do some regulations and be more involved with the gaming that is in here with the Poarch Creek Indians,” he explained. “It certainly cleans it up. It gives us enforcement by the gaming in commission together, which we do not have today. And all the money that is going out of our state right now with all these illegal operations — we’re not getting a penny off of it. So this actually will clean it up and reduce the number of facilities in the state. I think people don’t understand that because a lot of times, if it is not in your area, you don’t see it. That’s been part of the conversation — trying to clean up what is going on.”
“So it’s certainly going to look different coming out of the House,” Ledbetter said. “I’m just going to be straightforward with you. If we’re able to get it done in a timeframe to put it on the floor, you’re going to see a different bill. Now, it’s not — we’re not scrapping everything. There are certain parameters that are in there that have got to be there. There are some things that will be changing.”
@Jeff_Poor is a graduate of Auburn University and the University of South Alabama, the editor of Breitbart TV, a columnist for Mobile’s Lagniappe Weekly, and host of Mobile’s “The Jeff Poor Show” from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. on FM Talk 106.5.
