Despite failing to pass a comprehensive gambling bill, State Sen. Garlan Gudger (R-Cullman) expressed optimism about next year's legislative session during a Cullman County Republican event earlier this week.
Not all of Gudger's colleagues share that optimism.
During an appearance on Huntsville radio WVNN's "The Dale Jackson Show," State Sen. Sam Givhan (R-Huntsville) explained that even though a conference committee-brokered bill failed by one vote in the Alabama State Senate, it will still need a majority of Senate Republicans to proceed if it comes up again.
The Madison County Republican lawmaker said such an outcome was unlikely.
"Well, again, the House original-passed bill, the Senate-passed bill, or the bill that failed — and they keep trying to remind us by one vote, by one vote," he said. "Well, that whole dynamic is changed. It is no longer one vote. We will not bring it to the floor unless a majority of the Republican caucus supports it. So, the whole one-vote narrative is absolute garbage."
"And as far as the vote to go, there's at least one that's been pretty steady 'yes' vote on gaming has said he's 'no.' He's done with it — don't want to talk about it anymore," Givhan added. "So I don't know where they're going to get the votes in the Senate. And it's certainly not going to get them for the original House bill. Now, if it's the bill that the Senate passed, I think that would actually pass, or at least pass the Senate. I don't know what the House would accept it."
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 jeff.poor@1819News.com or follow him on Twitter @jeff_poor.
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