Arrr! Alabama lawmakers be like a ship without a sail, lost in a sea of gambling bills. Aye, frustrated indeed!
2024-05-10
Arrr, me hearties! The scallywags in Alabama be too busy arguin' over gambling to let the people have a say! Ye landlubbers better be ready for some high seas adventure 'cause it be a pirate's life for me!
Arrr mateys, some Alabama scallywags, and even Gov. Kay Ivey, be feelin' mighty disappointed and frustrated as the legislative session ended without a final vote on a gambling bill. Aye, the bill passed in the House earlier, but a scaled-back version failed by one measly vote in the Senate, and supporters couldn't break the impasse. 'Tis a shame, for now voters won't have the chance to vote on gambling within the state this year – extendin' a 25-year standoff on the matter.Republican House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter lamented, "There was a lot of effort to try to make it work. I think the people want a chance to vote. I hear that everywhere I go." The bill from the House would've allowed a lottery, sports bettin', and up to 10 casinos with slots and games, but the Senate only wanted a lottery and machines at dog tracks.A compromise with a statewide lottery and slots at seven spots was proposed but didn't pass the Senate. Gov. Ivey expressed her disappointment and mentioned the bill would've brought in more booty for education and roads. Alabamians haven't voted on gambling since '99, and efforts to change that have hit rough waters due to debates over casinos and machines.It be a tough pill to swallow for these lawmakers, as they continue to navigate the choppy waters of gambling legislation in Alabama.