By Bob Howell – WSFA 12 News Anchor – Montgomery, AL

House member Billy Beasley of Clayton weighs in on the gambling debate with this release:

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Rep. Billy Beasley (D-Clayton) speaks at Macon County Rally for Victoryland

Rep. Beasley makes similar remarks at the microphone in the House of Representatives as a point of personal privilege 

First and foremost the issue at hand is the people who count on legal establishments for their jobs. Victoryland is a constitutionally established place of business that over 1,700 people in Macon County rely on to feed their families, buy clothing, and keep their lights and heat on.  

There is no issue as important right now as jobs – that is why we need to stop all of the nonsense, raids by the governor are putting people out of work – during the worst financial crisis of our lifetime! 

I believe that in this country, we solve our problems at the ballot box, and through the courts – not through midnight raids upon legal establishments. The right to vote is the foundation – for too long many politicians have tried to block the people’s right to vote on issues.  As the sponsor of legislation of that will allow Alabamians to vote on a highway construction program that will generate 30,000 jobs, I believe in giving the people the right to vote.  The same is true for electronic bingo.   

I want to make it clear that what Governor Riley and his Commander John Tyson are doing to shutdown legal gaming and entertainment is wrong and it must be stopped.  Their actions are a misuse and abuse of taxpayer dollars and state resources.  Even worse their actions are intended to protect gambling interest in Mississippi.   

We need to be fighting to create and protect Alabama’s jobs.  That is why I strongly support the Sweet Home Alabama Plan, which will clear the air once and for all on the issue of electronic bingo by letting the people vote.  If approved, the bill will make the laws on bingo clear and consistent across the state, it will create a tax on bingo operators that will generate almost $400 million to better fund our schools and Medicaid.  

The Sweet Home Alabama Plan will also create a statewide gaming commission – which will insure that all people are treated fairly. This is a good plan.  It creates jobs and revenue for the state.  The people deserve the right to vote on the Sweet Home Alabama plan.

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