Alabama Lawmaker Pushing State Lottery

A state representative says that the lottery could generate $250 million for education.

December 12, 2013

MONTGOMERY – An Alabama lawmaker is urging the state’s Legislature to approve a state lottery, the Associated Press reports.

State Rep. Craig Ford said a state lottery could generate up to $250 million annually for education. "That is why I plan to propose a lottery bill during the 2014 legislative session,” he said.

Any lottery bill must proceed through the House Economic Development and Tourism Committee, whose vice chairman, House Majority Leader Micky Hammon, said Alabama citizens have opposed a lottery.

"Just four years ago, the Democratic nominee for governor made the creation of a statewide lottery his one and only issue, and he was soundly defeated in that race," Hammon said, adding he plans to spend the 2014 session considering bills that create jobs — not a lottery bill.

Ford said he plans to introduce the bill in the session that begins January 14, proposing that the lottery allocate $50 million of its expected proceeds to hire security officers for schools with the remainder to be used for scholarships. "A state lottery can open the doors of opportunity for thousands of children in Alabama and lighten the burden on thousands more," he said.

Ultimately, Alabama voters will need to approve a lottery in a statewide referendum.

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