Sen. Smith will make statement on bingo bill

April 14, 2008

Lance Griffin

Sen. Harri Anne Smith, R-Slocomb, has informed the media she will be making a statement at 1:30 p.m. today (Monday) at her headquarters concerning SB572, the bill she sponsored in the Alabama Legislature that would put the charitable bingo issue on the November ballot. She gave no indication as to what her statement will be.

Rally planned to support Country Crossing

April 09, 2008

Lance Griffin

A rally to support Country Crossing has been scheduled for next Saturday. Pasted below is a press release with details.

Press Release

Let the Stars Fall on Houston County!

Grassroots community action group makes their voices heard. 

On Saturday, April 19th 1 - 5pm at the Dothan Convention Center, an ambitious group of Wiregrass residents will show the region their support for the proposed Country Crossing project.  The Dothan Convention Center is located at 4106 Ross Clark Circle across from Twitchell.

One of the organizers, Debbie Trueblood of Dothan, said that she’s “amazed by the incredible amount of energy, enthusiasm and talent being brought to this effort by volunteers.  They’re offering to direct traffic, type, call legislators, mail letters, hand out flyers and speak at this rally.  It’s just an inspiring amount of community involvement”.

Expected speakers include local business owners, private citizens, the project’s developer, Ronnie Gilley, and other interested parties.  A complete slide presentation of the development, including all the features planned will be presented.

David Asbill Sr., another group organizer from the Wiregrass, said he is “really pleased with the amount of input that’s been shared in an open, friendly atmosphere.  This is truly the PEOPLE speaking”.

Another organizer and local business owner Tim Hawkins said “I think it’s the best thing that could ever happen to this area, and I can’t wait for it to get here”.

For further information, or to volunteer, go to http://www.supportcountrycrossing.org or call David Asbill Sr. at 685.6201 or Debbie Trueblood at 618.1610

Bingo Bill: What’s Next?

April 08, 2008

Lance Griffin

Now that the Houston County bingo bill sponsored by Sen. Harri Anne Smith, R-Slocomb, has been signed out of the Local Legislation Committee and referred to the Tourism and Marketing Committee, what can Houston County residents expect next?

Typically, committees shy away from supporting local bills that do not have unanimous support from the local delegation and the county commission. However, anything is possible in the Alabama Legislature and some scenarios exist that could push this bill out of committee and onto the Senate floor.

(1) The chairman of the Tourism and Marketing Committee is Sen. Bobby Singleton, who represents Greene County in west central Alabama where Greenetrack has electronic bingo. Singleton has been attempting to push a bingo bill onto the Senate floor that would transfer electronic bingo authority from the Sheriff of Greene County to a racing commission, and would also provide more money for local governments through electronic bingo revenue. Singleton has been having trouble getting his bill heard, and could be inclined to help push the Houston County bill forward if he could, in turn, get his bill heard. The Senate debated an almost identical bill Thursday afternoon from Sen. Myron Penn, who represents Shorter where Victoryland hosts electronic bingo. The Senate, however, appears to be at an impasse on the issue, so the scenario is possible, but not likely.

(2) The Governor has expressed opposition to any measure that expands gambling in Alabama, and could call in favors to keep another electronic bingo center from locating in Alabama.

While those scenarios exist, it is not believed the 3/5 vote needed to pass the bill will happen, even if the bill makes it to the Senate floor

The Tourism and Marketing Committee is scheduled to meet Wednesday at 12:30 p.m., but is not currently scheduled to debate the Houston County bill. It could, however, be placed on the calendar any time between now and then. There are 12 days left in the current legislative session and much of the remaining time will be spent debating the general fund and education fund bills.

The status of bills, Senate and House Audio, standing committee assignments and other legislation can be found here

Tourism and Marketing Committee to meet Wednesday

Lance Griffin

The Senate Tourism and Travel committee will meet Wednesday at 12:30 p.m. in Room 610 of the Alabama Statehouse. The committee has been assigned the Houston County bingo bill sponsored by Sen. Harri Anne Smith, R-Slocomb. Currently, the bill is not scheduled for debate during the meeting. The committee is expected to debate two bills concerning alcohol.

Bingo Bill clears one hurdle; headed to Senate Tourism Committee

Lance Griffin

A bill that would put the issue of electronic bingo on the November ballot has been signed out of the Senate Local Legislation #1 Committee and has been assigned to the Senate Committee on Tourism and Travel.

Committee members are Sen. Bobby Singleton (D); Sen. E.B. McClain (D); Sen. Lowell Barron (D); Sen. Charles Bishop (R); Sen. Pat Lindsey (D); Sen. Del Marsh (R); Sen. Myron Penn (D); Sen. Quinton Ross (D); Sen. Rodger Smitherman; Sen. Wendell Mitchell (D);