Legislators ponder lottery in wake of tax plan rejection, Tennessee lotto
Bob Johnson Associated Press
Issue date: 1/29/04 Section: News
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MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) Legislators, desperate to find enough money to balance the state's two main budgets, are talking about dusting off an old idea rejected by voters five years ago, a statewide lottery.
As the Feb. 3 start of the 2004 regular session nears, the word "lottery" is being heard frequently in the halls of the Alabama Statehouse. Supporters say it's a painless way to raise at least some of the money needed to adequately fund education and other state services at a time when voters are consistently saying "no" to proposed tax increases.
Voters in September defeated by a two-to-one margin Gov. Bob Riley's proposed $1.2 billion tax increase and since have turned down most local proposals to raise taxes.
"It's not the greatest idea in the world, but it would generate money to go to the schools," said Rep. Randy Hinshaw, D-Huntsville. "It doesn't make any sense to me not to do it. Right now, we've got vital services that need to be funded."
But opponents say a lottery would not raise nearly enough money to balance the state's budgets. They also say the lottery is an immoral tax on the poor and would expand gambling in Alabama.
"I have several problems with a lottery," said John Giles, president of the Christian Coalition in Alabama. "First it would open the door to casino gambling and it doesn't make fiscal sense."
Giles also said the state would be forced to spend money to help citizens deal with gambling addiction.
Alabama voters in 1999 rejected former Gov. Don Siegelman's plan for a statewide lottery to fund various education programs, including scholarships for Alabama students. Siegelman proposed a new lottery plan during his campaign for re-election in 2002, but was defeated in a close election by Riley, a lottery opponent.
Because any lottery proposal would have to pass the Legislature as a constitutional amendment and be approved by voters, Riley would not be able to stop it with a veto. But he said he will work to see that it is not approved by the Legislature.
