[4alabama] Gambling Bill Eyed to Fund Alabama Medicaid

[Judy R. Roy]

MONTGOMERY (AP) — An old contentious issue — gambling — may resurface in the
Alabama Legislature as a way to pay for medical services for the poor and
elderly.

Rep. Marcel Black, D-Tuscumbia, said he expects to introduce a bill to
legalize high-stake electronic bingo games at greyhound race tracks in
Birmingham and Mobile, with tax revenue going to Alabama’s cash-strapped
Medicaid Agency. Medicaid officials have said they need $150 million more
than last year’s budget to fund the agency in the next fiscal year, even
though lawmakers say they may have to cut spending for other agencies.

If introduced, the electronic bingo bill is expected to generate heated
opposition from gambling opponents.

“Every year they try to create a crisis to justify passing it. I would
expect there would be substantial opposition,” said Rep. Mike Hubbard,
R-Auburn, chairman of the House Republican Caucus.

Black introduced the bill last year. It was approved by the House Tourism
and Travel Committee and was scheduled for debate on the House floor. But
Black withdrew the bill just as debate was about to start, because there was
not enough support for the measure to pass a procedural vote required before
a bill can pass the House.

He said he believes the bill might be more popular this year because
lawmakers are reluctant to vote for tax increases to fund Medicaid.

“I think it’s a less painful way to raise the revenue for Medicaid,” Black
said.

Gov. Bob Riley has recommended a General Fund budget that provides the extra
$150 million for Medicaid, but legislative fiscal experts say he’s
overestimating tax revenues by about $200 million.

While legalizing the games at the tracks in Birmingham and Mobile, the bill
would make the games illegal in most other parts of the state. Voters have
approved constitutional amendments allowing the games at tracks in Macon and
Greene counties. The bill would not effect electronic gambling on Indian
lands in Atmore, Wetumpka and Montgomery.

Black said he has not prepared a bill, but expects it will be a
constitutional amendment to be approved by voters, similar to last year’s
measure.

That bill provided that 20 percent of the gross revenue from bingo machines
at the tracks would go to Alabama’s Medicaid program.

Copyright 2008 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not
be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Judy R. Roy
Independent Living Resources of Greater Birmingham
206  13th Street S.
Birmingham, AL  35233-1317
Phone  205.251.2223  ext 102
Email  bhamilc1 at bellsouth.net
There are only four kinds of people in the world: those who have been
caregivers; those who are currently caregivers; those who will be
caregivers; those who will need caregivers. - Rosalynn Carter

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MONTGOMERY (AP) - An old contentious issue - gambling - may resurface in the Alabama Legislature as a way to pay for medical services for the poor and elderly.
Rep. Marcel Black, D-Tuscumbia, said he expects to introduce a bill to legalize high-stake electronic bingo games at greyhound race tracks in Birmingham and Mobile, with tax revenue going to Alabama's cash-strapped Medicaid Agency. Medicaid officials have said they need $150 million more than last year's budget to fund the agency in the next fiscal year, even though lawmakers say they may have to cut spending for other agencies.
If introduced, the electronic bingo bill is expected to generate heated opposition from gambling opponents.
"Every year they try to create a crisis to justify passing it. I would expect there would be substantial opposition," said Rep. Mike Hubbard, R-Auburn, chairman of the House Republican Caucus.
Black introduced the bill last year. It was approved by the House Tourism and Travel Committee and was scheduled for debate on the House floor. But Black withdrew the bill just as debate was about to start, because there was not enough support for the measure to pass a procedural vote required before a bill can pass the House.
He said he believes the bill might be more popular this year because lawmakers are reluctant to vote for tax increases to fund Medicaid.
"I think it's a less painful way to raise the revenue for Medicaid," Black said.
Gov. Bob Riley has recommended a General Fund budget that provides the extra $150 million for Medicaid, but legislative fiscal experts say he's overestimating tax revenues by about $200 million.
While legalizing the games at the tracks in Birmingham and Mobile, the bill would make the games illegal in most other parts of the state. Voters have approved constitutional amendments allowing the games at tracks in Macon and Greene counties. The bill would not effect electronic gambling on Indian lands in Atmore, Wetumpka and Montgomery.
Black said he has not prepared a bill, but expects it will be a constitutional amendment to be approved by voters, similar to last year's measure.
That bill provided that 20 percent of the gross revenue from bingo machines at the tracks would go to Alabama's Medicaid program
.
Copyright 2008 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Judy R. Roy
Independent Living Resources of Greater Birmingham
206  13th Street S.
Birmingham, AL  35233-1317
Phone  205.251.2223  ext 102
Email  bhamilc1 at bellsouth.net
There are only four kinds of people in the world: those who have been caregivers; those who are currently caregivers; those who will be caregivers; those who will need caregivers. - Rosalynn Carter