The hustle and bustle of Alabama politics has taken a brief pause during the last couple of weeks of December, but it's not too early to look ahead to what will be the biggest stories of 2025.
Opinions differ among lawmakers on whether gambling will come back up in the 2025 session.
The final version of a gambling and lottery package passed the House but fell short by one vote in the Senate in the final days of the 2024 session in May.
Since the 2024 legislative session ended, Wind Creek Hospitality, owned by the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, and the McGregor family, owners of Birmingham Race Course and Casino and Victoryland Casino, announced in November that they had entered into an agreement under which Wind Creek would acquire the Birmingham Race Course. The sale is expected to be finalized in early 2025.
Stephanie Bryan, Tribal chair and CEO of the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, was the keynote speaker at the Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce's 152nd Annual Meeting on December 16 but mainly spoke about the tribe's history in the state and didn't discuss the possibility of lottery and gambling legislation in the 2025 session. The Poarch Creek Indians recently hired the high-powered Fine Geddie lobbying firm ahead of the 2025 session.
With the 2024 election over, the rumor mill about who is running for statewide elected offices in 2026 has already started. Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth, Alabama Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries Commissioner Rick Pate, and Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall are all possible candidates for the governor's race in 2026.
Pate told 1819 News on December 17 that he hadn't decided yet about his political future.
"We'll get back in January and February and pray about it and talk about it," Pate said.
U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Auburn) recently announced he was running for re-election to the Senate in 2026, but there's still time for him to change his mind about running for governor. If he opted not to run, an open Senate seat would draw interest from plenty of candidates.
The new year will bring another round of redistricting litigation and discussion. A redistricting trial that could change the makeup of the State Senate is currently being held in federal court in Birmingham. A ruling on the trial is expected in January. A separate federal redistricting trial will restart in February.
Health care will also be a big topic in 2025. Legislation will be filed again in the 2025 session to allow the Alabama Farmers Federation (ALFA) to begin offering health plans.
Hospitals and Blue Cross and Blue Shield could push for Medicaid expansion again despite Gov. Kay Ivey's opposition.
House Minority Leader Anthony Daniels (D-Huntsville) will file a bill in the 2025 session to permanently extend the temporary state income tax exemption on overtime pay passed in 2023.
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email caleb.taylor@1819News.com.
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