MONTGOMERY, Ala-- For the first time this legislative session, Alabama senators verbally debated an electronic bingo bill that would change the state's constitution to allow 10 electronic bingo facilities in Alabama. After multiple delays, the spirited debate began when Sen. Hank Erwin took the podium and set the tone for senators who opposed the bill.
"We need to take these bills and chunk them...my opinion is that we should not do this," Sen. Hank Erwin said.
After Sen. Erwin's stand, Sen. Lowell Barron rebutted explaining that the proposed legislation would create more jobs and revenue for state education, medicaid and other state- funded departments.
"I cannot understand why anyone would talk about denying the people of Alabama the right to vote on this issue," Sen. Lowell Barron said.
Sen.Lowell Barron requested Tuesday's special order calendar in efforts to address two bingo related bills.
Russellville Sen. Roger Bedford sponsored both senate bills 379 and 380.
Senate bill 380, commonly known as the bingo bill, defines how 27% of the gross revenues generated from electronic casinos hall will be distributed.
Senate bill 379 prevents the governor from trying to close down current bingo operations in the state.
Senators will resume debate Wednesday morning at 10 a.m.
To view both bills please access the URL links below.
SB 379
http://tinyurl.com/ycz3cxf
SB 380
http://tinyurl.com/ye7e979
Please click on the video player above to view the online report.
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