Albritton Lottery Bill Directs No Revenue to Education; Committee to Vote on Poarch Gaming Bill
Sen. Greg Albritton's lottery bill would send no money to education, while a Senate committee prepares to vote on a bill giving the Poarch Creeks a gaming monopoly.
MONTGOMERY, Ala. — The lottery bill sponsored by state Sen. Greg Albritton would not direct any lottery revenue to education, according to the bill’s provisions.
Where the Money Would Go
Two separate lottery bills have been introduced in the Alabama Legislature. Under Albritton’s bill, lottery revenue would first pay the lottery’s expenses and then go into the state’s trust fund to repay transfers made to the General Fund from 2013 to 2015. Once those transfers are repaid, Albritton said, half the money would go back into the trust fund and half into the state’s General Fund.
Committee Vote on Poarch Creek Bill
The Senate Tourism and Marketing Committee is scheduled to vote Tuesday on a bill that, if approved, would give the Poarch Band of Creek Indians a monopoly over gaming operations in the state. If adopted, the measure would also eliminate legal pari-mutuel gaming at the state’s four racetracks and cost jobs in Macon, Greene and Jefferson counties.
Campaign Contributions
The Poarch Creeks made the following contributions to Republican members of the tourism committee during this election cycle:
- Del Marsh, chair: $30,000
- Randy Price, vice chair: $12,500
- Chris Elliott: $27,500
- Garlan Gudger: $25,000
- Andrew Jones: $10,000
Baldwin County Senator
Elliott, who represents Baldwin County in the state Senate, supports the Albritton bill.
