With the Alabama Legislature convening on Monday, August 15, for a Special Session to discuss legalizing a state-sponsored lottery in Alabama, the details of their schedule are still uncertain. However, here is what I anticipate: They go into session at 4:00 p.m. on Monday afternoon, but the only thing they can do is introduce bills. Even with the House electing a new Speaker, the meeting day should be brief. I will be in Montgomery Monday afternoon to talk with legislators as they arrive.
If they follow the usual procedure, committees will meet the next day, Tuesday, August 16, in order to pass out of committee the bills introduced the day before. We will try to call for public hearings in both the House and Senate committees, but at this point we do not know to what committees the lottery bills will be assigned. As soon as we find out the committee meeting times and locations, we will let our ALCAP family know.
Since there is a level of uncertainty, I am appealing to pastors and denominational leaders to be at the Alabama State House on Tuesday morning at 8:00 a.m. (as soon as the doors open). Even if the committees do not meet until later in the day (or even on a different day), I want to encourage you to visit the offices of your House Member and State Senator, encouraging him/her to oppose all pro-gambling bills or not vote at all. Proponents will need 3/5 of the House and 3/5 of the Senate to vote in favor of a constitutional amendment, so abstaining will have the same impact as a no vote.
The gambling proponents will be at the State House in large numbers, so we need pastors, denominational leaders and any key business people from each district to be there and putting pressure on the legislators to oppose gambling. If you cannot come to Montgomery on Tuesday, come on Wednesday or Thursday. We need as many people as possible walking the halls and talking to legislators about how gambling is a failed government policy.
Click here for talking points you can use when speaking with your legislator.
Click here to find your Senator or House Member.
If you would like more information place your cursor over the “Current Issues” tab to the left then click on the “Gambling” tab or place your cursor over the “Links” tab to the left then click on the “Gambling” tab. You may also visit the Stop Predatory Gambling website at www.StopPredatoryGambling.org.