Gov. Bentley Announces Date for Special Session
Gov. Robert Bentley says a special session on a possible state lottery will begin Aug. 15.
Bentley’s office released a video Friday announcing the start date.
Bentley earlier announced that legislators want to approve a constitutional amendment that would let voters statewide decide whether to approve a lottery. Bentley says a lottery would generate $225 million annually to help fund state services.
Alabama is one of six states without a state lottery. Voters rejected a lottery proposal in 1999 amid heavy opposition from church groups.
The governor called a lottery the best option for solving the state’s budget problem.
If lawmakers approve a lottery bill by Aug. 24, the measure could be before voters as soon as the November presidential election.
Governor Bentley released the following statement making the announcement:
“As Alabamians we are blessed to live in a truly great state.
But for it to be the best it can be, we must solve financial problems that have held us back for decades.
An Alabama lottery is expected to generate two hundred and twenty-five million dollars annually. After we have exhausted all other options, I believe this is our best chance to solve this problem.
But this is not just about a lottery, this is about our people.
I will not, as your governor and as a physician, watch as our most helpless and vulnerable people go without a doctor’s care.
I can’t bear to think of the half-million children who, through no fault of their own, are born into poverty and have no way to get basic medical treatment they need to grow healthy and strong.
In order to accomplish this I am calling a special session of the Alabama legislature on August 15, 2016.
Please join with me in asking your legislators to allow us to help our people.
Help us solve this problem. Let’s join together to help make Alabama a truly great state.”
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