Alabama Gambling Bill

[BizTiger 242]

The current gambling bill looks to have as much early support as any others. The bill has made it out of committee, and as is currently written, it calls for 100% of the profits to go toward education, including vocational scholarships. If passed and signed by the governor, it would go on a statewide ballot as a constitutional amendment. 

Any thoughts? For or against? I think this could be a game changer for k-12, higher ed and career training. 

https://whnt.com/news/gambling-bill-passes-alabama-senate-committee/

https://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/story/news/2021/02/10/alabama-gambling-bill-would-authorize-state-lottery-5-casinos-sports-betting/4447862001/

[jj3jordan 2,053]

Usually all the money goes to education, however they reduce the education funding from other sources like property taxes and there is little or no increase to the budget. Looks like a windfall for schools but it is not.  If you want gambling or lotteries then that’s fine but don’t buy the school budget argument.

[Brad_ATX 13,654]

It would be nice to actually have something to do when I come home to see family.

[woodford 3,659]

The education funding is just political sweetener. They only do that so people will vote on it. It may be a political success, but no guarantee it’ll be a policy success.

Our house/senate in Georgia has been discussing it as well. Hope it passes. This is a no brainer. 

[SLAG-91 1,483]

Wonder if Gulf Shores/Orange Beach is going to want a piece of the action and press for boats to be part of the deal. Mississippi and Louisiana casino boat owners wouldn't want to see that.

It'll be sold as "it's for the children!" like it was here in Texas in the early 1990s, but it seems to be a zero-sum game. Bring in $$$ from one source, reduce it from another (property taxes, for one). Original intent and actual implementation don't always end up meshing.

But, hope the residents of Alabama get to find out. Keep that lottery money being spent in all four of the neighboring states in house.

[woodford 3,659]

Just now, SLAG-91 said:

Wonder if Gulf Shores/Orange Beach is going to want a piece of the action and press for boats to be part of the deal. Mississippi and Louisiana casino boat owners wouldn't want to see that.

It'll be sold as "it's for the children!" like it was here in Texas in the early 1990s, but it seems to be a zero-sum game. Bring in $$$ from one source, reduce it from another (property taxes, for one). Original intent and actual implementation don't always end up meshing.

But, hope the residents of Alabama get to find out. Keep that lottery money being spent in all four of the neighboring states in house.

So your property taxes dropped? That’s a win for the taxpayers. 

[SLAG-91 1,483]

Just now, woodford said:

So your property taxes dropped? That’s a win for the taxpayers. 

I have been a renter most of my life, so I pay someone else's property taxes, but I doubt they've decreased.

Texas actually has one of the higher property tax rates in the country as a percentage (but no state income tax) and Alabama pretty much is at the lowest as far as property tax rates (but has a state income tax). 

The lottery is seen by some as a regressive tax, but it is an untapped source of revenue that should be opened up. It just never made any sense to me that FL, GA, TN and MS all have lotteries, at least, and Alabama doesn't.

[BizTiger 242]

I don't mind another tax being cut with gaming revenue replacing it. Especially if everyone benefits. Cut that grocery tax and it helps the high and the low...

[Brad_ATX 13,654]

3 hours ago, BizTiger said:

I don't mind another tax being cut with gaming revenue replacing it. Especially if everyone benefits. Cut that grocery tax and it helps the high and the low...

I've never understood taxes on groceries in Alabama considering it's a truly essential product.  Raise property taxes there and kill that grocery tax.  You could double Alabama's property tax and still be one the lowest rates in the country.

[autigeremt 6,641]

Free us from our bondage. I'm all for it myself. And Brad I agree 100% on tossing out the regressive grocery tax. 

[jj3jordan 2,053]

9 hours ago, woodford said:

So your property taxes dropped? That’s a win for the taxpayers. 

Yeah No.  They don’t reduce property taxes. 

[woodford 3,659]

4 hours ago, Brad_ATX said:

I've never understood taxes on groceries in Alabama considering it's a truly essential product.  Raise property taxes there and kill that grocery tax.  You could double Alabama's property tax and still be one the lowest rates in the country.

Why raise taxes?

[SaltyTiger 7,816]

17 hours ago, Brad_ATX said:

It would be nice to actually have something to do when I come home to see family.

Trying to help you out Brad. The “whale watching” is misleading...actually a 2 hour dolphin cruise at OB.

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g28922-Activities-Alabama.html

[Brad_ATX 13,654]

1 hour ago, woodford said:

Why raise taxes?

Because the state of Alabama runs a massive deficit and is dependent on the federal government to make ends meet.  And if you kill a grocery tax, which you should, you need to make up that revenue somewhere or the state falls further in a hole.

[Brad_ATX 13,654]

38 minutes ago, SaltyTiger said:

Trying to help you out Brad. The “whale watching” is misleading...actually a 2 hour dolphin cruise at OB.

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g28922-Activities-Alabama.html

That's a 3 hour drive from Montgomery.  And if I'm going to OB, I'm going fishing.