Alabama Governor Robert Bentley (R) plans to call a special session of the Legislature to consider a proposal to help fund state services, according to AL.com.
It's been 17 years since Alabama voters last rejected a proposal to launch a state lottery, put forth by Gov. Don Siegelman (D).
According to Gov. Bentley, the state cannot afford to finance basic services, and has relied on loans for decades to fill the gaps.
"The time has come for a permanent solution," Gov. Bentley told AL.com. "This solution will provide funding that we can count on for year after year without ever having to raise your taxes or put one more Band-Aid on our state's money problems."
The most urgent issue currently is the Alabama Medicaid Agency, as it consumes the most money from the state General Fund and serves about 1 million Alabamians. Earlier this year, legislators overrode Gov. Bentley's veto and approved a budget that will allocate $700 million from the General Fund to Medicaid for the fiscal year that begins Oct. 1, according to the repot. Gov. Bentley said Medicaid requires $785 million to maintain services while transitioning to a managed care program operated by regional care organizations.
"Let's hear from the people of this great state on whether the time has come to approve a statewide lottery to help fund essential state services for our children, our elderly, those with mental illness and those who are in most need, as well as the men and women in law enforcement," said Gov. Bentley, according to the report.
The governor added his proposal would only allow for the lottery and no other forms of gambling. He did not give a date for the session, but lawmakers would have to approve a lottery bill by Aug. 24 to get the measure on the ballot for the general election Nov. 8, according to the report.