>> DON: GOOD EVENING.

FROM OUR STATEHOUSE STUDIO IN MONTGOMERY, I'M DON DAILEY.

THANKS FOR JOINING US.

TOPPING OUR BROADCAST TONIGHT, THE LEGISLATURE RETURNS TO THE STATEHOUSE TOMORROW TO RESUME ITS NEW SESSION.

LAWMAKERS, OF COURSE, MET FOR TWO WEEKS AND THEN TOOK LAST WEEK OFF TO ASSESS PANDEMIC HEALTH AND SAFETY PROTOCOLS IN THE EARLY GOING.

THE CONSENSUS SEEMS TO BE THAT THINGS WENT AS WELL AS COULD HAVE BEEN EXPECTED AND THAT SOCIAL DISTANCING, TEMPERATURE CHECKS AND LIMITED PUBLIC ACCESS TO THE STATEHOUSE WILL CONTINUE.

AS LAWMAKERS RETURN TO WORK, THE GAMBLING ISSUE WILL AGAIN LOOM LARGE.

A SWEEPING BILL THAT WOULD SET UP A STATE LOTTERY AND ALLOW FOR CASINOS AND SPORTS BETTING IN ALABAMA WAS DEBATED ON THE SENATE FLOOR BEFORE THE LEGISLATIVE BREAK AND A VOTE ON IT IS EXPECTED THIS WEEK, MAYBE AS EARLY AS TOMORROW.

THE LEGISLATION IS SPONSORED BY SENATOR DEL MARSH OF ANNISTON, WHO RECENTLY SPOKE TO CAPITOL JOURNAL.

>> COPIES OF THE PLAN THAT REALLY CONTROLS GAMING IN OUR STATE, WHICH WE'VE NEVER HAD BEFORE.

ALSO, PROVIDES ADEQUATE AND FAIR REVENUE FOR THE STATE AND GOING SPECIFICALLY TO THE AREAS WHERE IT'S IMPORTANT TO OUR CITIZENS.

THAT'S WHAT THIS IS, MY ATTEMPT, AND THINK WE'VE GOTTEN FURTHER ALONG THAN EVER IN THE PAST.

I DO FEEL VERY GOOD ABOUT ITS POSITION AT THIS POINT IN TIME.

>> DON: SENATOR MARSH'S PROPOSED LOTTERY WOULD FUND EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIPS.

REVENUE FROM CASINOS WOULD GO TOWARDS BROADBAND EXPANSION, RURAL HOSPITALS, MENTAL HEALTH, LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, AND THE GENERAL FUND BUDGET.

THE SENATE CONVENES AT 2:00 PM TOMORROW.

ONE STATE LAWMAKER SAYS HE HOPES THAT THE LOTTERY AND GAMBLING BILL WON'T BE RUSHED THROUGH THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS, AND THAT HE AND HIS COLLEAGUES WILL TAKE IT SLOW AND EASY AS THEY DELIBERATE THE BILL.

SENATOR CLYDE CHAMBLISS OF PRATTVILLE CALLS THE GAMBLING PLAN ‘TRANSFORMATIVE,' GIVEN THAT IT GOES BEYOND A LOTTERY AND WOULD ALLOW FOR FIVE DESIGNATED CASINOS AROUND ALABAMA.

CHAMBLISS TELLS CAPITOL JOURNAL THAT HE HAS A PARTICULAR CONCERN OVER THAT ASPECT.

.

>> ANY TIME YOU GO FROM ONE END OF THE SPECTRUM TO THE OTHER, YOU NEED TO BE CAREFUL.

WHAT ARE THE UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES.

ONE OF THE BIG ISSUES IS IS IS THE FREE MARKET AND IS COUNTER TO WHAT WE AS REPUBLICANS WANT TO SEE AS A FREE MARKET UNDERSTANDING THAT THERE ARE THINGS THAT HAVE HAPPENED OVER THE YEARS THAT PREVENT US FROM BEING A TRUE FREE MARKET BECAUSE WE HAVE OPERATORS IN THE STATE.

BUT ON THE OTHER HAND, WE'RE GIVING RIGHT IN, TO THE WRITING OF THE CONSTITUTION, THEIR ABILITY TO OPERATE AND EXCLUDING OTHERS.

SO, WE NEED TO BE VERY CAREFUL WHEN WE DO THAT.

>> DON: THE GAMBLING BILL IS, OF COURSE, A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT THAT, IF APPROVED BY THE LEGISLATURE, WOULD ULTIMATELY GO UP FOR A VOTE OF THE PEOPLE.

SENATOR CHAMBLISS WILL JOIN US ON THE BROADCAST SHORTLY TO TALK MORE ABOUT IT.

THE ALABAMA CITIZENS ACTION PROGRAM HAS PERENNIALLY OPPOSED VARIOUS LOTTERY BILLS THAT HAVE BEEN PUT FORTH IN THE LEGISLATURE OVER THE YEARS, BUT WITH THIS NEW PLAN ALSO PROPOSING CASINOS AND SPORTS BETTING, THE GROUP SAYS ITS CONCERNS ARE EVEN GREATER.

JOE GODFREY IS ALCAP'S EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND HE SPOKE TO CAPITOL JOURNAL THAT THEIR WORRIES.

>> ALL THIS MONEY THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT GENERATING, REVENUE THAT THEY ARE GOING TO GENERATE IS GOING TO COME OUT OF THE POCKETS OF MOSTLY, ALABAMA CITIZENS.

AND MOST OF THE PEOPLE THAT ARE GOING TO BE GAMBLING AT THE CASINOS OR BUYING LOTTERY TICKETS ARE GOING TO BE THOSE WHO ARE LEAST ABLE TO AFFORD IT.

>> DON: A STUDY COMMISSIONED BY THE GOVERNOR LAST YEAR ESTIMATED THAT ALABAMA COULD REALIZE SOME $700 MILLION FROM AN EXPANSION OF GAMBLING IN THE STATE.

JOE GODFREY WILL JOIN US LATER IN THE BROADCAST TO TALK MORE ABOUT HIS GROUP'S OPPOSITION TO THE PLAN ON THE TABLE.

THE HOUSE TOMORROW IS SET TO VOTE ON A CLOSELY WATCHED BAIL REFORM MEASURE.

IT WOULD GIVE JUDGES MORE DISCRETION IN DENYING BAIL TO SUSPECTS CHARGED WITH VIOLENT CRIMES OTHER THAN JUST CAPITAL MURDER.

REPRESENTATIVE CHIP BROWN OF HOLLINGER'S ISLAND IS AGAIN SPONSORING THE LEGISLATION THIS YEAR AND HE RECENTLY SPOKE TO CAPITOL JOURNAL ABOUT IT.

>> THIS GIVES DISTRICT TERN ATTORNEYS THE OPPORTUNITY THAT AN INDIVIDUAL BE HELD WITHOUT BOND, TO REQUEST THAT.

SAY, THEY ARE CHARGED WITH A VIOLENT FELONY, KIDNAPPING, VIOLENT DOMESTIC ASSAULT AND THOSE VIOLENT CRIMES AGAINST AN INDIVIDUAL, A CLASS A FELONY.

>> DON: BROWN'S BILL IS CALLED ANIAH'S LAW, AFTER ANIAH BLANCHARD, A COLLEGE STUDENT WHO WAS MURDERED NEAR AUBURN LAST YEAR.

THE SUSPECT IN HER CASE WAS OUT ON BOND AT THE TIME FOR OTHER CRIMES.

THE HOUSE TOMORROW IS ALSO SET TO VOTE ON ANOTHER OF REPRESENTATIVE BROWN'S BILLS CALLED THE SEXUAL ASSAULT SURVIVORS BILL OF RIGHTS.

IT WOULD PROVIDE STATE PROTECTIONS AND GUARANTEES TO SUCH SURVIVORS.

THE LOWER CHAMBER TOMORROW WILL ALSO TAKE UP A COUPLE OF MORE PRISON REFORM BILLS AND LEGISLATION THAT WOULD MAKE KINDERGARTEN MANDATORY IN ALABAMA.

GOVERNOR KAY IVEY SAID TODAY THAT SHE WELCOMED A REVIEW BY THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE'S INSPECTOR GENERAL OF THE AIR FORCE'S DECISION TO MAKE HUNTSVILLE'S REDSTONE ARSENAL THE PERMANENT HEADQUARTERS OF THE U.S. SPACE COMMAND.

>> WE WELCOME ANYBODY TO REVIEW THE DECISION THAT WAS MADE.

IT WAS MADE ON MERIT.

AND THEY MADE A GREAT DECISION, VERY THOROUGH.

IT'S FINE.

EVERYBODY JUST KEEP ON LOOKING AND I THINK THAT THEY WILL FIND THAT REDSTONE REGION IS THE SPACE FOR THE SPACE COMMAND.

>> DON: REDSTONE ARSENAL WAS ONE OF SIX FINALISTS NATIONALLY FOR THE SPACE COMMAND, INCLUDING COLORADO'S PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, WHICH HAS BEEN ITS TEMPORARY HEADQUARTERS.

COLORADO HAS PROTESTED THE DECISION AND THE DEFENSE DEPARTMENT HAS SAID THAT IT IS NOW OFFICIALLY INVESTIGATING WHETHER THAT DECISION COMPLIED WITH POLICY AND WHETHER IT WAS BASED ON PROPER EVALUATIONS OF COMPETING LOCATIONS.

GOVERNOR IVEY TODAY TOOK TO THE CAPITOL STEPS TO HONOR GROCERY STORE WORKERS FOR THEIR SERVICE AND DILIGENCE DURING THE PANDEMIC.

IVEY PROCLAIMED TODAY AS SUPERMARKET EMPLOYEE DAY IN ALABAMA, AS SHE STOOD ALONGSIDE THE PRESIDENT OF THE ALABAMA GROCERS ASSOCIATION.

.

>> THEY HAVE REMINDED US THAT ALABAMIANS' WILLINGNESS AND DESIRE TO HELP THEIR NEIGHBORS IS AMONG THE MANY THINGS THAT MAKE OUR STATE SO GREAT.

THIS HAS BEEN AN INCREDIBLE EFFORT BY THE HEROES IN THE COMMUNITY.

AND THEY DESERVE GRATITUDE AND RECOGNITION FOR ALL THEY DO.

>> SUPERMARKETS ARE THE BACKBONE OF OUR COMMUNITIES.

SUPERMARKET EMPLOYEES HAVE ALWAYS BEEN BEEN FRONTLINE HEROES DURING CRISIS AND HAVE HELPED US TO STAY STRONG DURING THIS PANDEMIC.

>> DON: GROCERY STORE WORKERS, BECAUSE OF THEIR FRONTLINE STATUS, ARE AMONG THE GROUP 1-B CURRENTLY ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE CORONAVIRUS VACCINATIONS.

WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

.

>> NEXT UP, SENATOR CLYDE CHAMBLISS IS BACK IN STUDIO WITH US.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> ALWAYS A PLEASURE.

NOW, LET'S TALK ABOUT WHAT'S UP WITH THE COLLEAGUES IN THE UPPER CAHABA, THE LOTTERY AND -- UPPER CHAMBER, THE LOTTERY BILL.

AND LAST TIME, SENATOR DELL MARSH SPONSORING THE LEGISLATION, ANTICIPATES A VOTE ON THE PACKAGE THIS WEEK.

>> THIS IS PROBABLY THE MOST TRANSFORMATIVE PIECE OF LEGISLATION THAT WE WILL SEE IN OUR LIFETIME, IF THIS LEGISLATION PASSES AND THE PEOPLE VOTE ON IT, IT'S GOING TO CHANGE OUR STATE.

I'M HOPING THAT WE REALLY TAKE IT SLOW, TAKE IT EASY, AND REALLY JUST STUDY AND HAVE A LOT OF DEBATE.

WE'VE STARTED THE DEBATE, AS YOU MENTIONED.

BUT HOPEFULLY WE'LL CONTINUE THAT, GETTING IT RIGHT INSTEAD OF RUSHING IT THROUGH.

>> DID YOU LIKE THE WAY SENATOR MARSH WENT ABOUT THIS ON THE BREAK, BROUGHT IT UP FOR DEBATE BUT NEVER INTENDED IT TO BE VOTED ON BEFORE THE BREAK.

HE SAID HE WANTED TO GATHER DATA AND ANSWER QUESTIONS AND CHECK ON IT WHEN YOU CAME BACK FROM THE BREAK.

>> WELL, IT'S HEAVY READING.

SOME BILLS WE READ ARE EASY AND THIS ONE IS HEAVY READING.

I UNDERSTAND THE SENATOR WAS WORKING ON IT FOR NINE MONTHS AND WE'VE SEEN IT NINE DAYS.

SO, WE'RE TRYING TO DIGEST AND WORK THROUGH IT.

HOPEFULLY WE'LL DO THAT AND HOPEFULLY NOT IN A RUSH TO FOR PASSAGE.

>> AND THIS GOES FURTHER THAN OTHER LEGISLATION.

WE'RE TALKING ABOUT CASINO STYLE GAMING AND SPORTS BETTING, NOT JUST A LOTTERY.

>> RIGHT.

WE'VE GONE FROM CONSTITUTIONAL PROHIBITION ANY TYPE OF GAMBLING.

AND WE NEED TO BE CAREFUL OF THAT.

THE VOTE COULDN'T BE UNTIL NOVEMBER 2022.

I DON'T SENSE A NEED TO RUSH IT DONE.

WE NEED TO BE DELIBERATE, LOOK AT THE DETAILS AND MAKE SURE WE GET IT RIGHT.

>> Don: GENERALLY SPEAKING, DO YOU LIKE WHAT YOU SEE?

OR HAVE ARE YOU HAVING CONCERNS?

>> I HAVE CONCERNS.

ANY TIME YOU GO FROM ONE END OF THE SPECTRUM TO THE OTHER, YOU KNOW, YOU NEED TO BE CAREFUL.

WHAT'S THE UNINTENDED INFERENCES.

WHAT'S THE FREE MARKET, THIS IS COUNTER TO WHAT WE AS REPUBLICANS LIKE TO SEE AS A FREE MARKET.

UNDERSTANDING THAT THERE ARE THINGS THAT HAVE HAPPENED OVER THE YEARS THAT PREVENT US FROM BEING A TRULY FREE MARKET BECAUSE WE HAVE OPERATORS IN THE STATE.

AND ON THE ONE HAND, WE'RE GIVING SOME, WRITING INTO THE CONSTITUTION, THEIR ABILITY TO OPERATE AND EXCLUDING OTHERS.

SO, WE NEED TO BE VERY CAREFUL WHEN WE'RE DOING THAT.

>> I ASSUME YOU ARE REFERRING SPECIFICALLY TO THE CASINOS BECAUSE THEY ARE SPECIFICALLY OUTLINED IN THE LEGISLATION, FIVE OF THEM.

WITH POSSIBLE WIGGLE ROOM FOR ONE OR TWO OTHERS.

WHICH THE GAMING COMMISSION, WHICH WOULD BE CREATED UNDER THE LEGISLATION, THAT IF THEY APPROVED IT.

DOES THAT CONCERN YOU, THAT WIGGLE ROOM THAT IT ALLOWS FOR?

>> RIGHT.

IT DOES.

AND HOW ARE THOSE SELECTED?

IS IT COMPETITIVE PROCESS?

DOES THE FREE MARKET COME IN THERE?

AND YOU KNOW, FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND, THE SUBSTITUTE IS STILL FLUID AND STILL MOVING.

SO, WE HAVE TO SEE WHAT THE FINAL VERSION OF IT IS.

I'VE TALKED TO SENATOR MARSH IN DETAIL, SPENT AN HOUR WITH HIM THE OTHER DAY.

HE WAS VERY GRACIOUS TO HEAR MY CONCERNS.

AND WE'RE WORKING THROUGH THAT.

AND WE'LL SEE WHERE IT ENDS UP.

>> YOU SERVE ON THE GENERAL TAXATION AND GENERAL FUND BUDGET IN THE UPPER CHAMBER.

AND THE GENERAL FUND IS ONE OF THE BENEFICIARIES UNDER THIS?

>> THAT'S CORRECT.

>> HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THAT.

>> WELL, ONE OF THE THINGS I WAS ADAMANT, AND SENATOR MARSH HAS INCLUDED IN THE BILL, IS THAT THE FIRST PROCEEDS GO BACK TO PAY BACK THE ALABAMA TRUST FUND THAT WE BORROWED MONEY ON THE GREAT RECESSION.

WE PAID A LARGE PORTION OF IT BUT THERE'S STILL PLUS OR MINUS A HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS THERE, DO THAT.

AND MY SECOND THOUGHT IS WE FILL UP THE GENERAL FUND RESERVE.

AND WE HAVE 27 AND A HALF MILLION DOLLARS IN THERE NOW WITH A HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS CAP.

SO, I WOULD LOVE TO SEE US GET TO THAT CAP BEFORE WE START SPENDING MONEY.

AND MORE IMPORTANTLY, LONG TERM.

WE NEED TO HAVE THESE MONIES IN HAND BEFORE WE SPEND THEM.

IN THE PRIVATE WORLD, THAT'S WHAT WE DO.

IN THE GOVERNMENT WORLD, WE TRY TO PROTECT JEFFERSON COUNTY, TO GET AHEAD OF OURSELVES SO IN A DOWN TURN, IT BECOMES A DIFFICULT THING.

WE DON'T NEED TO HIRE A BUNCH OF PEOPLE AND LAY THEM OFF IN THE FIRST DOWN TURN IN THE ECONOMY.

THAT'S WHAT I'M LOOKING AT AND WORKING WITH THE SENATOR ON THAT.

>> AND YOU THINK WE CAN MAKE SUBSTANTIAL GROUND THERE IN THE BENEFITS OF THE GAMBLING REVENUE.

>> THAT'S NOT MY FAVORITE WAY TO DO IT.

GAMBLING REVENUE IS ACTUALLY A POOR WAY TO FUND A STATE GOVERNMENT.

BUT IF WE'RE GOING TO HAVE IT, AND THAT'S STILL AN IF, IF WE HAVE IT, WE NEED TO HAVE PROTOCOLS AND PROCEDURES IN PLACE BEFORE WE SAY YAY OR NAY.

>> NOW, I WANT TO ASK YOU ABOUT THE OUTGROWTH OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE STUDY GROUP.

GOING ALONG WITH THE PRISON REFORM EFFORTS THIS YEAR.

YOU ARE LOOKING TO CREATE A COUPLE OF NEW POSITIONS.

ONE WITHIN THE ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF THE CORRECTIONS, DEPUTY OF THE PRISONER REHABILITATION AND THE OTHER ONE IN THE BOARD OF PARDONS AND PAROLES, DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF THE PAROLEE.

HOW DO YOU SEE THAT IN AN EFFORT TO HAVE PRISON REFORM.

>> THE WAY I SEE IT, IT'S NOT REALLY AN EXPANSION OF NEW POSITIONS.

BUT THE PEOPLE THERE, AT THAT LEVEL, ONE IN EACH OF THOSE DEPARTMENT ARE TASKED EVERYDAY TO COME TO WORK AND TO HELP FIGURE OUT HOW INMATES GET FROM INSIDE THE PRISON TO OUTSIDE THE PRISON AND LEADING A PRODUCTIVE LIFE.

AND WE NEED THE TWO AGENCIES TO WORK HAND IN HAND AND MAKE IT WORK.

AND FORMER SENATOR WARD, TO REALLY STUDY THE IDEA, WHO WORKED WITH IT, THAT'S WHAT THE PRISON SYSTEM AND PARDON AND PATROLS IS FOR.

REHAB AND THEN GET BACK INTO THE ECONOMY, A PRODUCTIVE CITIZEN.

>> WHERE PRISON CONSTRUCTION IS CONCERNED, GOVERNOR IVEY'S PRIVATE PRISON PLAN HAS BEEN A HOT TOPIC.

YOU HAVE A PRISON IN YOUR DISTRICT.

>> I DO.

>> HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THAT?

>> I THINK THEY GOT IT EXACTLY RIGHT AS FAR AS THE COUNTIES THAT THEY SELECTED, ELMORE, ESCAMBIA COUNTY, AND BIBB COUNTY.

THE LOCATIONS WITHIN THE COUNTIES ARE PROBLEMATIC AND I TOLD THE GOVERNOR AND HER STAFF THAT.

THINK WE NEED TO FIGURE OUT EVERY WAY WE CAN ON STATE-OWNED PROPERTIES IN THE COUNTIES.

>> AND WHERE THEY ARE, THE NEW PRISONS THEY SAY, WON'T GO NEARLY FAR ENOUGH IN ADDRESSING OUR PROBLEMS.

IS THAT WHY THE REFORM BILL THAT WE MENTIONED, SO CRUCIAL TO BEING COMPANION PIECES TO THE CONSTRUCTION ELEMENT?

>> YES, VERY MUCH.

AND CONSTRUCTION IS WHAT I LOOK AT THE FOUNDATION OF THE REFORM OF THE CHANGES TO OUR SYSTEM.

WITHOUT THAT, IT'S GOING TO BE VERY, VERY HARD FOR US TO REALLY EFFECT CHANGE.

BUT WHEN WE HAVE THE NEW DESIGN, NEW STRUCTURE, CAMERAS, ALL OF THE TECHNOLOGY, THEN WE HAVE THE SPACE FOR THE MENTAL HEALTH, HEALTHCARE, AND ALL THAT, PROGRAMMING.

THEN, WE CAN REALLY MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

AND THIS LEGISLATION COMES IN AND WORKS HAND IN HAND WITH ALL OF THAT.

AND ALL OF THAT TOGETHER, THINK WE CAN TURN AROUND OUR POSITIONS.

>> THANK YOU, SENATOR CLYDE CHAMBLISS THANKS FOR JOINING US IN THE STUDIO.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> Don: JOE GODFREY IS NEXT UP ON THE BROADCAST, AND HE'S HERE.

GOOD TO HAVE YOU.

>> YES.

>> YOU AND YOUR ORGANIZATION HAVE BEEN AGAINST LOTTERY LEGISLATION, BUT THE LOTTERY BEFORE LAWMAKERS THIS YEAR THAT GOES UP THIS WEEK TAKES IT UP A NOTCH LEGALLIZING CASINOS AND GAMING AND MORE.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

IT'S INTENSIFIED.

CASINO GAMBLING IS TOTALLY DIFFERENT ANIMAL THAT STATE LOTTERY.

THEY BOTH PREY UPON THE POOREST IN THE STATE, THE POOREST CITIZENS.

AND THE CASINO GAMBLING INVOLVES TRYING TO ATTRACT PEOPLE INTO THE CASINOS AND STATISTICS SHOW THAT MOST THAT FREQUENT A CASINO LIVE WITHIN A 50-MILE RADIUS.

SO, ALL OF THIS MONEY THAT THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT GENERATING IS COMING OUT OF THE POCKETS OF MOSTLY ALABAMA CITIZENS.

AND MOST OF THE PEOPLE GAMBLING AT THE CASINOS OR BUYING LOTTERY TICKETS ARE GOING TO BE THOSE LEAST ABLE TO AFFORD IT.

WEALTHY PEOPLE AREN'T GAMBLING ENOUGH.

MAYBE OCCASIONALLY BUT NOT SUPPORTING THE PROGRAMS THAT THE LOTTERY AND THE CASINO SAYS IT WILL SUPPORT.

AND THEY ARE HOPING PEOPLE WILL GET ADDICTED TO GAMBLING.

THE CASINO OPERATORS KNOW THAT THE MACHINES THEY USE ARE DESIGNED TO KEEP PEOPLE SITTING THERE.

AND YOU GO INTO THE CASINO, THERE'S NO WINDOWS OR CLOCKS ON THE WALL, YOU LOSE TRACK OF TIME.

THEY WANT PEOPLE TO GET TOTALLY CAUGHT UP IN THE WHISTLES, BELLS, FLASHING LIGHTS AND ALL OF THAT, PARTICULARLY AT SLOT MACHINES AND STAY THERE.

IN FACT, THE INDUSTRY HAS A TERM CALLED PLAYING TO EXTINCTION.

THEY WANT PEOPLE TO PLAY UNTIL THEY HAVE NOTHING LEFT.

IT'S A PREDATORY PRACTICE, THAT THE GOVERNMENT IS SANCTIONING WHEN THEY SANCTION CASINOS OR IF YOU ARE BUYING LOTTERY TICKETS, THEY ARE ACTUALLY SPONSORING THE LOTTERY TICKET SALES AND DECEIVING INDIVIDUALS INTO THINKING THEY ARE GOING TO STRIKE IT RICH.

>> AND LAST YEAR, GOVERNOR IVEY CREATED A STUDY GROUP, LOOKING AT THE ISSUE INTENSIVELY.

THEY CAME UP WITH A REPORT AT THE END OF LAST YEAR, A REPORT THAT LAWMAKERS ARE USING AS THEY DEBATE THIS ISSUE.

IT SAYS IT COULD BE A HUGE MONEY-MAKER FOR THE STATE.

AND I GUESS THAT'S ALWAYS FIRST AND FOREMOST IN LOTS OF FOLKS' MINDS.

AND SHE'S NEVER BEEN A CHAMPION AND TO VOTE ON THE ISSUE.

NOW, IF THIS ULTIMATELY PASSES THE LEGISLATURE, IT GOES UP AS A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT ON THE BALLOT NEXT YEAR AND THE PEOPLE HAVE THE SAY.

AND THERE'S AN ASSUMPTION AND POLLING THAT ALABAMIANS BY AND LARGE WANT THIS OPTION.

BUT THERE'S ANOTHER SIDE THAT SAYS, THEY DON'T KNOW IF VOTERS ARE GOING TO GO WITH THIS OR NOT.

WHAT ARE YOU HEARING?

>> FIRST OF ALL, THE GOVERNOR'S GAMBLING POLICY STUDY COMMITTEE SAID $700 MILLION.

THINK THAT'S A PIPE DREAM AS FAR AS REVENUES ARE CONCERNED.

WE'RE NOT GOING TO SEE THAT KIND OF INCOME AS FAR AS THE STATE COFFERS ARE CONCERNED.

BUT IT'S GOING TO DWINDLE WHERE IT DOES AS EVERY PLACE ELSE.

NOW, I HEARD FROM DEMOCRATIC LAWMAKERS, WHEN THEY WERE IN CHARGE OF THE HOUSE AND SENATE; NOW, I HEAR IT FROM THE REPUBLICAN LEGISLATORS.

THEY SAY, I'M NOT FOR GAMBLING BUT I WANT TO LET MY PEOPLE VOTE.

THE PROBLEM IS, THE PEOPLE WON'T KNOW WHAT THEY ARE VOTING ON.

ALL THEY ARE VOTING ON, IN THE MINDS OF THE PEOPLE, WILL BE TO LEGALIZE A LOTTERY IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

THE ENABLING LEGISLATION WILL COME LATER AND PEOPLE ARE THINKING, WELL, I'LL VOTE FOR A LOTTERY BECAUSE I DON'T WANT TO DRIVE TO GEORGIA TO BUY A LOTTERY TICKET OCCASIONALLY.

THEY DON'T BUY ENOUGH IN STATE TO MAINTAIN THE REVENUE STREAM THAT'S HOPED FOR.

BUT IF IT'S A BIG JACK POT, INTERSTATE JACK POT THEY MAY GO OVER AND BUY A TICKET OCCASIONALLY.

THEY ARE NOT BUYING THEM EVERYDAY IN THE MARKET AT THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

IF WE LEGALIZE THE LOTTERY, THEY WILL.

BUT THE ENABLING LEGISLATION LEAVES THE DOOR OPEN FOR CLASS THREE GAMBLING, WHICH IS ANYTHING OTHER THAN BINGO.

THAT MEANS TABLE GAMES, SLOT MACHINES AND WE'RE LIMITING IT TO THE FIVE CASINOS RIGHT NOW.

BUT WITH THE POSSIBILITY OF SEVEN OR MORE.

THEY CAN COME BACK AND ADD MORE.

ONCE THE PEOPLE VOTE TO CHANGE THE CONSTITUTION THAT CURRENTLY RESTRICTS GAMBLING, THEY WILL NO LONGER HAVE A RIGHT TO VOTE.

THEY WON'T VOTE ON ANYTHING ELSE RELATED TO GAMBLING.

ONCE THEY VOTE TO CHANGE THE CONSTITUTION, THEN THE LEGISLATORS CAN CHANGE IT ANY WAY THEY WANT TO, TO EXPAND GAMBLING AND KEEP ON EXPANDING IT FOR YEARS TO COME.

LET ME ADD ANOTHER THING TO THIS.

IT'S NOT LET THE PEOPLE VOTE.

IT'S LET US BUY THE PEOPLES' VOTE.

>> HOW SO?

>> IF YOU WERE RUNNING FOR A LEGISLATIVE OFFICE AND YOUR OPPONENT SPEND SPENT YOU 3 TO 1, HOW WOULD YOU FEEL ABOUT THAT?

NO MATTER HOW GOOD YOU ARE, IF YOU ARE OUTSPENT THAT MUCH, THEN IT'S A DIFFICULT OBSTACLE TO OVERCOME.

AND MOST OF THE GAMBLING BILLS THAT ARE PASSED AROUND THE COUNTRY BY POPULAR VOTE, THE OPPONENTS ARE SPENT AT LEAST 50:1.

IN COLORADO, THEY WERE OUTSPENT 700 ODDS TO ONE!

AND IN MASSACHUSETTS, GAMBLING PROPOSAL ON THE BALLOT AND THEY BOUGHT 4,000 DIFFERENT TV ADS AND THE PROPONENTS NEVER EVER MENTIONED CASINO.

IT WAS ALL LOTTERY.

BUT THE OPPONENTS BOUGHT NO TV ADS BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T HAVE ANY MONEY.

THAT'S WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN IN ALABAMA.

WE WON'T HAVE A MESSAGE TO, A WAY TO GET OUR MESSAGE OUT.

AND THE PLAYING FIELD IS NOT LEVEL FROM THAT POINT.

>> NOW, IT SOUNDS THAT YOU ARE WORRIED THAT VOTERS WON'T DO THEIR HOMEWORK, GOING TO THE POLLS THINKING THEY ARE ONLY VOTING ON A LOTTERY AND NOT FORWARD THINKING, AND THIS ALLOWING CASINOS AND SPORTS BETTING.

>> THAT'S CORRECT.

WE WOULD LOVE TO SHARE THAT INFORMATION BUT WE'RE LIMITED IN THE FINANCIAL WHERE WITH ALL TO GET THE MESSAGE OUT.

I BELIEVE THE PEOPLE IN ALABAMA WOULD DO THE RIGHT THING IF THEY HAVE THE FACTS.

AND ALL THEY KNOW IS WHAT THE PRO GAMBLING FORCES TELL THEM IN SLICK TV ADS.

DIRECT MAIL PIECES THAT ARE COLORFUL AND THEY WILL DRESS IT UP.

THEY CALL IT GAMING, INSTEAD OF GAMBLING, BECAUSE THAT'S AN EASIER THING TO ACCEPT THAN GAMBLING.

THERE'S A MORE ADVERSE REACTION TO GAMING THAN GAMBLING.

IT'S USED DECEPTIVELY TO DRAW PEOPLE IN.

YEAH, IT'S NOT A FAIR FIGHT.

AND I'M CONCERNED ABOUT THAT GREATLY.

>> YOU DON'T THINK PEOPLE WOULD READ THE AMENDMENT THOROUGHLY ENOUGH.

>> JUDGING FROM THE PAST?

NO, I REALLY DON'T.

AND I HAVE PEOPLE CALL ME ALL THE TIME, THE AMENDMENTS, THE WAY IT'S WORDING, THEY CALL ME AND SAY, WHAT'S THIS MEAN.

EXPLAIN IT TO ME.

A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T UNDERSTAND THE WAY THINGS READ ON THE BALLOT.

A LOT OF IT DEPENDS ON HOW THE BALLOT MEASURE IS WORDED.

BUT IT WILL BE WORDED IN SUCH A WAY THAT IT WILL FAVOR THE GAMBLING PROPONENTS.

>> AND THE FAIR BALLOT COMMISSION EVEN THOUGH THEY TRY TO SIMPLIFY THE LANGUAGE?

>> BECAUSE IT'S SO COMPLICATED AND THERE ARE SO MANY DIFFERENT FACETS ON THIS, THEY WILL NOT BE ABLE TO GET IT ON THE BALLOT, SO THAT PEOPLE REALLY UNDERSTAND WHAT THEY ARE VOTING FOR.

>> AND THIS IS JOE GODFREY FROM THE ALABAMA CITIZENS ACTION PROGRAM.

AND WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> DON: AND THAT'S CAPITOL JOURNAL FOR TONIGHT.

COMING UP TOMORROW NIGHT AT 10:30, WE'LL HAVE THE LATEST FROM THE STATEHOUSE, INCLUDING EXPECTED SENATE CONSIDERATION OF THE BIG LOTTERY AND GAMBLING EXPANSION BILL.

WE'RE SET TO BE JOINED BY REPRESENTATIVE ALLEN TREADAWAY OF BIRMINGHAM, WHO WILL DISCUSS HIS PROPOSED BILL THAT WOULD IMPOSE TOUGHER PENALTIES FOR RIOTING AND FOR DEFUNDING LAW ENFORCEMENT.

WE WILL BE ALSO BE JOINED BY REPRESENTATIVE RICHIE WHORTON OF SCOTTSBORO, WHO WILL TALK WITH US ABOUT HIS BILL THAT WOULD LIMIT LOCAL AND STATE GOVERNMENTS IN MANDATING VACCINATIONS.

FOR ALL OF US AT CAPITOL JOURNAL, THANKS SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

I'M DON DAILEY.