Artur Davis promotes statewide “up or down” vote on gambling

By Bob Howell – WSFA 12 News, Montgomery, AL
Artur Davis continues to support a plan to let Alabamians vote on the question of electronic bingo.  Here are the specifics from his campaign office:
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Let the People Decide: Davis Endorses “Up or Down” Statewide Vote on Electronic Gambling
 
BIRMINGHAM – Democratic gubernatorial candidate Artur Davis outlined a plan [...]

Roy Moore’s position on gambling in Alabama

By Bob Howell – WSFA 12 News, Montgomery, AL
I ran across this op-ed piece on gambling in our state. It was written by Roy Moore for the Montgomery Advertiser.
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Gambling
By Roy Moore
It has been said that “there is nothing new under the sun” and when it comes to gambling that’s certainly true.
Back in October of 1778, during [...]

Gambling Amendment – Keep it Simple

You can read the entire U.S. Bill of Rights in just a couple of minutes. All 10 amendments can fit on one page.
By contrast, the latest attempt to amend the Alabama Constitution took more than 40 pages! The next time there’s an attempt to change the Alabama Constitution, here’s a thought: Whatever the amendment is [...]

Bingo Standoff – No End in Sight

Milton McGregor’s electronic bingo casino is now open once again at Victoryland. A judge issued an injunction warning John Tyson, the head of the governor’s task force on illegal gambling, not to raid it. The judge says Tyson lacks any authority to conduct a raid.
We have a similar situation at Greenetrack where the sheriff and [...]

If elected, Ron Sparks says bingo would be a priority

By Bob Howell – WSFA 12 News
Ron Sparks, one of two democrats in the running for governor, has staked much of his campaign fortunes on gambling legislation.  And now, he says if elected he’ll take decisive action.  Here’s his release with a time line for bingo:
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Today Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries Ron Sparks announced a [...]

The Week Ahead

Let’s begin with the Democrats for governor.
Congressman Artur Davis rolls out his economic plan with stops across the state today. He began this morning in Montgomery with a pledge for tax credits and incentives to boost education, jobs and economic development.
Ag Commissioner Ron Sparks couldn’t escape the weekend without two more newspapers calling for further [...]

New Ask Alabama Poll on Gambling

A new Ask Alabama poll from Auburn University says 68% support a lottery and 60% back video gambling to boost state budgets and education spending.
Details, the questions and methodology can be viewed here.
Supporters of a constitutional amendment dealing with electronic bingo will count votes over the weekend, leading up to Tuesday’s session. Sen. Hank Erwin [...]

Weekly Recap: Who were the week’s winners and losers?

Who came out on top in Alabama politics this week?
Attorney General Troy King faces many fronts at the end of this week.
First, his much-talked about announcement Wednesday about his authority over the governor’s anti-gambling task force was quickly dismissed by task force commander John Tyson.
Now, Legislative Black Caucus chairman Rep. John Rogers complains King is [...]

King vs Tyson

Busy day on the topic of electronic bingo.
You can watch Attorney General Troy King’s newser here.
You can watch Task Force commander and Mobile District Attorney John Tyson’s response here.
Read more of Rick Journey’s blogs here.

Black Legislative Caucus Chair Likes What He Hears

Rep. John Rogers (D-Birmingham) believes Attorney General Troy King said “what needed to be said” an hour ago. Rogers, who wrote a letter to King this week on behalf of the Black Legislative Caucus, tells me its time to “wait and see what the governor is going to do.”
King just advised Gov. Bob Riley and [...]