It came up…. and was blocked on a procedural vote.

Supporters of Sen. Roger Bedford’s (D-Russellville)  constitutional amendment legalizing, regulating and taxing e-bingo failed to reach the 21 votes needed to hold full debate on the measure.

Final score: 18 aye, 16 no.

That’s three votes shy.

Leading up to the vote on the BIR, Sen. Bedford declared “this is not anti-tax or pro-tax. This is not anti-gambling or pro-gambling. It’s about giving the people the right to vote…this issue has tied this senate up long enough.”

Sen. Hank Erwin (R-Montevallo) later protested suggestions that Senate Republicans opposed a vote of the people. Sen. Erwin said, “we all know more what this bill was all about than what we could tell the public…these were not good bills, not good for your welfare.”

The bills are not dead. Sen. Bedford can bring the legislation up again later this session. Senate President Pro Tem Rodger Smitherman (D-Birmingham) tells me he wants this matter addressed before spring break.

Reminder: you can listen to the Senate session here.

Read more of Rick Journey’s blogs here.

Filed under: Legislature