BIRMINGHAM, AL (WBRC) -
Once again the state of Alabama is facing money problems. Tuesday night in the his State of the State address, Governor Robert Bentley told lawmakers state government must shrink because of fewer tax dollars. Bentley is advocating budget cuts and consolidating state government without raising taxes.
The head of the Alabama House Democrats said that now is the time to reconsider a state lottery.
"We have to find a way to raise some revenue without raising taxes. We are losing $200 million to the state of Georgia every year. Funding their children's education," Rep. Craig Ford said.
Ford is advocating a constitutional amendment legalizing a lottery which will split proceeds between the education and general fund budget.
"The governor wants to fully fund prisons. Do we want to fund our prisons or educate our children in Alabama," Ford said.
Some Alabama voters are split over the idea of another vote on a state lottery.
"I don't like it that much. Some times it can get carried away with all of the gambling. I think it can turn into a waste of money," Hannah Grandery said.
"No one is forcing any one to play the lottery. Or things of that nature. I feel like if that is something you want to do by all means do it. You don't have to part take in it," Aamari Adause said.
Voters rejected the lottery when former Gov. Don Siegelman pushed it in 1999. Still, members of the Republican majority in the legislature doubts it will succeed.
"Particularly while we got the gambling trial going on. I don't think this is the right climate to be dealing with gambling," Rep. Jack Williams of Vestavia Hills said.
Ford says his bill still being prepared. The Democratic representative says he has seen polls support among Alabama voters.
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