Sen. Paul Sanford (R-Huntsville) exchanged sharp words with e-bingo sponsor Sen. Roger Bedford before the failed vote this morning. Sanford voted “no” on the procedural vote after Bedford claimed he had his support a day earlier.

In a statement released since that vote, Sen. Sanford says he’ll offer a new bill this week that will “simplify” the matter.

On the senate floor, Sanford called for an “up or down vote.”

He says the current measure caters to “casino bosses.”

Under his plan, Sen. Sanford says the current machines would be referred to as “slot machines instead of bingo.” He would shorten the 48-page constitutional amendment to make it easier to understand for voters. He also proposes placing casino licenses up for bid instead of identifying operators. The Sanford plan would add prohibitions on campaign contributions from gambling to those who appoint the Gaming Commission and to the Legislature.

Finally, and this is the big one, he proposes a minimum tax rate of 50%. The Bedford plan taxes at the rate of 27%.

Sanford’s statement says support in his north Alabama district for a statewide vote runs about 80%.

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Filed under: Legislature