Nathaniel Ledbetter announces third round of committee chairmanships
State Rep. Nathaniel Ledbetter announced his third round of intended committee chair appointments on Wednesday. Ledbetter was chosen to be the next Speaker of the House in November by the Alabama House Republican Caucus – which holds a commanding supermajority in the Alabama House of Representatives. The Republicans hold a 77 to 28 supermajority in the Alabama House of Representatives, so the selection of the House Republican Caucus will almost certainly be elected as the next Speaker of the House when the Legislature meets for its organizational session in January. Ledbetter has appointed Rep. Ginny Shaver as Chair of the Children and Senior Advocacy Committee. Ledbetter also appointed Rep. Chris Blackshear to chair the Financial Services Committee. Rep. Matt Simpson was appointed to chair the House Ethics and Campaign Finance Committee. Simpson is an attorney and former prosecutor. Rep. David Standridge will chair the Rural and Urban Development Committee. Standridge is the longtime chair of the House Rural Caucus. Rep. Corley Ellis was appointed to chair the House Insurance Committee. State Rep. Chris Sells will serve as the chairman of the State Government Committee. State Rep. Andy Whitt will be the chairman of the Economic Development and Tourism Committee. State Rep. Allen Treadaway will continue to chair the Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee. Treadaway is a retired Birmingham City assistant police chief. “These appointments represent a mix of veteran chairs with valuable experience and newly appointed members of the leadership team with fresh perspectives,” Ledbetter said. “All of them have the knowledge and skills necessary to lead their committees and ensure that bills and measures are well vetted before reaching the House floor.” All of Ledbetter’s appointments will formally go into effect once he is elevated to Speaker once the full body is in session for the organizational session. To connect with the author of this story, or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
House leaders try to break stalemate on casino, lottery bill
The fate of an Alabama lottery and casino bill remained in limbo on Thursday as the House of Representatives delayed a vote amid a flurry of last-minute negotiations to try to obtain the needed support. House leaders of both parties met multiple times through the day for negotiations on the bill, trying to work out a compromise that could muster the 63 votes needed to pass the 105-member House. The chamber moved on to other bills Thursday night as the discussions continued. “There’s been a lot of work on it. Right now, we are looking at the differences in the House and the Senate, the majority caucus and the minority caucus. They are sitting in there now at the table working through it,” House Speaker Mac McCutcheon said Thursday evening. McCutcheon said he was unclear if the bill would get to the floor Thursday night. “I don’t know. That is the safest answer I can give you right now. I don’t know,” McCutcheon said. The proposed constitutional amendment, which would have to be approved by both lawmakers and state voters, would establish a state lottery to fund college scholarships and nine casinos locations that would be located primarily at existing state dog tracks and sites owned by the Poarch Band of Creek Indians. The gambling bill faces opposition from a mix of Republicans opposed to legalized gambling and lawmakers arguing the bill picks winners and losers by naming casino locations. Supporters argue Alabama is one of five states without a lottery, and it is time to give Alabama voters the opportunity to vote on gambling for the first time in two decades. Alabamians last voted on a state lottery in 1999 when voters rejected a lottery proposed by then-Gov. Don Siegelman. “It’s time to let the citizens vote again,” said Republican Rep. Chris Blackshear of Phenix City, who is handling the Senate-passed bill in the Alabama House. The proposed constitutional amendment needs 63 votes to pass the 105-member House of Representatives. “We have been trending in the right direction,” Blackshear said but added there is a degree of uncertainty. The Alabama Senate last month voted 23-9 for the bill. However, the measure is facing a tough vote and a ticking legislative clock with one-day meeting in the session. If approved by lawmakers, the measure would go before voters in November 2022. The major sticking point, as it has been in previous debates over casino gambling, is which sites would be given an advantage in trying to win a casino license. The proposal would name the sites for the casinos, but the license would be put up for bid. Casinos and sports betting locations would be at Greenetrack in Greene County, the Crossing at Big Creek in Houston County, the Birmingham Race Course in Jefferson County, VictoryLand in Macon County, the Mobile County Greyhound Racing facility in Mobile County, and a sixth site negotiated between the governor and the Poarch Band of Creek Indians to be located in DeKalb County or Jackson County, Additionally, it would open up the Poarch Band’s three tribal sites for casino games. Some opponents argued it is unfair to exclude existing electronic bingo locations in Greene and Lowndes county operating under current constitutional amendments. The state has been a long-running legal battle over the legality of the slot machine lookalikes. Rep. Kelvin Lawrence, R-Hayneville, said the proposal as written would close an existing electronic bingo hall in Lowndes County, one of the poorest counties in the state while allowing a new casino location in north Alabama. Donald Trump, Jr., the son of former President Donald Trump, wrote a tweet criticizing the Alabama legislation as a “bad bill” and that it would give a monopoly to a small group of casino operators while excluding “world’s best gaming operators” from coming to Alabama. While the former president won over 60% of the vote in Alabama, Blackshear said he did not think the tweet would have a large effect on GOP votes. “I’m here trying to figure out a way to do what is best for the citizens of Alabama,” Blackshear said. Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall on Wednesday spoke out against arguments from some supporters that the state should make gambling operations legal because state laws against gambling are not being enforced. “Individuals who make this argument are either ignorant or are purposely trying to mislead legislators. My office has over 30 cases currently pending against gambling operators, some with trial dates set for this summer, and we expect to win them all,” Marshall said in a statement. Republished with the permission of the Associated Press.
House committee advances lottery, casino bill
Lottery and casino legislation will be decided in the last two days of the legislative session after being advanced Tuesday by the House Economic Development and Tourism Committee. The committee voted to send the bill to the floor of the House of Representatives. The decision came after a public hearing in which opponents said the bill picks “winners and losers” by naming the nine casino locations. And proponents said it was time to give Alabama voters the opportunity to vote on gambling for the first time in two decades. If approved by lawmakers, the measure would go before voters in November 2022. The bill would establish a state lottery. Casinos would be located at Victory Land dog track in Macon county, Greentrack dog track in Greene County, Mobile County Race Course in Mobile County, and the Crossing at Big Creek in Houston County. The Poarch Band of Creek Indians would also have casinos at its three locations plus the final bid for a new north Alabama site in either Jackson or DeKalb counties. “So, 1999 was the last time the citizens of Alabama had an opportunity to vote on a comprehensive gaming plan or any type of gambling in the state. Since then, almost 200 pieces of legislation pertaining to gambling, gaming lottery have been introduced in some form,” Republican Rep. Chris Blackshear of Phenix City said. Opponents said the legislation has the government picking “winners and losers.” “It literally takes the name of a business and imbeds it in our Constitution. When have you ever seen that happen?” said Phil Williams, a former state senator who now heads the conservative Alabama Policy Institute. Some opponents argued it was unfair to exclude existing electronic bingo locations in Greene and Lowndes county operating under current constitutional amendments. The state has been a long-running legal battle over the legality of the slot machine lookalikes. Rep. Kelvin Lawrence, R-Hayneville, said the proposal as written would close an existing electronic bingo hall in Lowndes County, one of the poorest counties in the state while allowing a new casino location in north Alabama. “You are not only pouring salt in the wound, you are digging the hole, putting us in it, and burying us. That’s not fair,” Lawrence said. The proposal would name the sites for the casinos, but the casino license would be put up for bid. Some lawmakers asked what would happen if the site owner does not win the license. Blackshear said he thought if another entity won the license, it would be “very difficult to walk away from a sale, a partnership or a lease agreement.” “That’s so gangster, though?” Rep. Rolanda Hollis, D-Birmingham said. The Alabama Senate last month voted 23-9. However, the measure is facing a tough vote and a ticking legislative clock in the House of Representatives. Lawmakers have two meeting days remaining. Lawmakers plan to meet Thursday and then conclude the session May 17. The debate on the substantial piece of legislation comes at a time when the public is being largely excluded from the Alabama Statehouse because of the COVID-19 pandemic. While the public hearing was broadcast on the Legislature’s website, people have largely been unable to attend legislative proceedings. Republican Rep. Reed Ingram of Pike Road urged lawmakers to take a pause instead of trying to push out the bill in the last two days of session. He said lawmakers could resume debate during a special session for redistricting later this year. Democratic Rep. Berry Forte of Eufaula said the state has waited long enough. He said when he drives to Georgia from his east Alabama district, all he sees are Alabama cars with people buying lottery tickets. “I think we should vote on it and let the folks decide if we need it or not,” Forte said. Republished with the permission of the Associated Press.
Chris Blackshear sworn in to represent Alabama’s House District 80
Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill certified Chris Blackshear as the newly elected state Representative for House District 80 Friday, according to a news release. House District 80 represents Russell and Lee counties. Blackshear ran for the seat vacated by the death of Lesley Vance unopposed in a three-way Republican primary earlier this month. As he faces no Democratic challenger, the Special General Election that was scheduled for April 12 will no longer be held, according to Article IV, Section 46 of the Alabama Constitution. “As the Chief Election Official, it is my duty to ensure the state of Alabama provides elections with integrity,” Merrill said. “I would like to congratulate Chris Blackshear and wish him well on his service as a Representative in the Alabama Legislature. I have no doubt that he will serve with dignity and respect.” Blackshear is a Republican and member of the Phenix City Council and an employee of TSYS, a merchant solutions firm.
James McGill announces run for Alabama State House
Former Russell County engineer James McGill officially announced his candidacy to run for the Alabama State House of Representatives in House District 80 Tuesday morning in a press release. McGill is seeking the nomination on the Republican ticket, which is vacant due to the passing of Representative Lesley Vance earlier this month. The seat will be filled during a Special Election that has been called by Governor Robert Bentley, scheduled for a Jan. 19 primary followed by the general election scheduled for April 12. “We need a strong, experienced conservative leader to represent us in the State House. I have a heart for this part of our state. This is my home and the people here are my friends and neighbors,” McGill stated. “I know how much we have to offer and I believe that I can provide the type of leadership that District 80 deserves.” Mcgill is an engineer and has served as the Director of Economic Development for the Russell County Chamber of Commerce for more than a decade where he had a track record of helping the area to grow. McGill points to Fort Mitchell’s commercial expansion and safer access to Fort Benning’s West Gate as examples of what he has helped to achieve. “It is critical that we continue the growth between lower Lee County, upper Phenix City and west Russell County. We need proven representation that can pull these three areas together and if we can do that, we can outgrow any region of the state,” McGill explained. “I know that I can make that happen.” Qualifying for the special election closes Tuesday, Nov. 17 at 6 p.m. EST. At the time of publishing, McGill’s only challenger is current Phenix City council member Chris Blackshear. Currently no Democrat had qualified, but Russell County Commissioner Tillman Pugh, who ran unsuccessfully against Vance in 2014, is considering it.
