The Alabama Legislature has reached the halfway point of the 2025 session, and there is little speculation about the possible passage of a gambling bill.
However, that does not mean conversations are not taking place behind the scenes, and according to Senate Majority Leader Steve Livingston (R-Scottsboro), that is the case this year.
During an appearance on Friday's broadcast of Alabama Public Television's "Capitol Journal," Livingston acknowledged those conversations but also recognized challenges in obtaining the necessary three-fifths majority required for a constitutional amendment.
"There's some conversation going on behind the scenes," the Jackson County Republican lawmaker said to host Todd Stacy. "I think some votes are being counted. You know, with the loss of, not the loss of Senator Reed, but when Senator Reed is stepping down to become Secretary Reed, that's a yes vote that is gone. So we didn't need one vote. Now we need two. So we'll see what happens with that."
He added, "I think there's only been one time, and that was the fourth year of my first quadrennium, that we did not have a conversation about gambling."
Jeff Poor is the editor-in-chief of 1819 News and host of "The Jeff Poor Show," heard Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-noon on Mobile's FM Talk 106.5. To connect or comment, email [email protected] or follow him on Twitter @jeff_poor.
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