Thread by @lyman_brian

We're on the gambling bill. Place your bets. #alpolitics

First up in a public hearing is Robert McGhee, vice chair of the Poarch Band of Creek Indians. He's asking for some flexibility for casino operators to choose the terms of their license (in other words, longer license means bigger payment to state over a longer period).

McGhee also raises some concerns about the commission's ability to change taxes on participating operators. Says the license fee would be plugged into the economic model of these casinos, and hard for them to adjust. #alpolitics

But McGhee is supportive of the bill. "Hopefully this is something that has the support of the people. I think it does. I think people are ready to put this behind them and move on." #alpolitics

Next up: Sharon Wheeler, representing White Hall Entertainment Center in Lowndes County. Says the exclusion of Lowndes County in the bill is "patently unfair." "Just because we're a smaller player does not mean we should not be allowed to exist." #alpolitics

Wheeler says the bill would wipe out "one of the few providers of jobs in Lowndes County." Also says there are 4 gambling sites within 30 miles of Montgomery, including White Hall. Legislators will bring an amendment to include White Hall. #alpolitics

Letter from Sen. Malika Sanders-Fortier, D-Selma, whose district includes Lowndes: "How can we forcibly close the doors of a business that’s existed for 20 years in one form or another … but then gladly allow it in other areas where they aren’t hurting for jobs?" #alpolitics

Sen. Del Marsh, R-Anniston, the sponsor of the bill, now speaking. As he told us last night, his intent is to get the bill voted out today and on the floor tomorrow (but not for a vote). #alpolitics

Marsh isn't closing the door to including Lowndes County, but says he wants gambling tightly controlled in the state. #alpolitics

Sen. Rodger Smitherman, D-Birmingham, has some objections to the bill. One is the provision for rural health care, saying urban areas like Bham also struggle: "When you're in area like we are with 1.6 million people, the crumbs we get don’t spread around that area." #alpolitics

Democrats are in a superminority in the Alabama Legislature, but in the past gambling promoters have needed their support because of lukewarm feelings about lotteries & casinos on the GOP side. #alpolitics

Marsh about to embark on a summary of the bill. I tried to run down the highlights here. Marsh says he expects money from the lottery to be in the $200M range. Money would go to postsecondary scholarships, weighted toward vocational training. bit.ly/3rFgChP #alpolitics

Marsh also said scholarships would be weighted to train teachers, especially in STEM subjects. #alpolitics

Leftover prize money in the lottery would go to agricultural grants. #alpolitics

Bill limits casinos to five locations: VictoryLand in Macon County; GreeneTrack in Greene County; the Birmingham Race Course & the Mobile Greyhound Track. 5th site would go to DeKalb or Jackson County in northeast Alabama, and would be run by the Poarch Band. #alpolitics

Gambling proceeds would be taxed at a 20% rate. License fees for the casinos would be based on population and the length of the license -- so the fee in Birmingham would be much higher than in Greene County. #alpolitics

Gaming revenue: 20% goes to a Gaming Trust Fund; 75% to the state General Fund, with the remaining 5% going to county & municipal governments where casinos are located. #alpolitics

Of the General Fund revenue: 65% would go to broadband (that would change once $1 billion is allocated to broadband). 25% would go to rural health care and 10% to mental health care. Not clear exactly how the last two would be allocated. #alpolitics

Bill also established a gaming commission to oversee gaming operations in the state. Four appointed by the governor; 1 by the House Speaker; 1 by the Senate President Pro Tem and 1 by the Attorney General. #alpolitics

Gaming operators would be forbidden from making campaign contributions to candidates for Legislature, governor, lt. governor and attorney general. #alpolitics

If the bill gets approved by voters, a special session of the Legislature would follow to create establishing legislation. #alpolitics

Lottery and gambling bill gets Senate committee approval on an 11 to 0 vote. Heads to the full Senate for consideration. Marsh says more dialogue will follow, "but I'm confident." #alpolitics