quote:
They're not. They're having to do the budget in a special session later this summer because they failed to pass one this past session, even though the state constitution requires the budget to be the first order of business every session.

We'll end up with some taxes raised, but it'll be on politically safe things - cigarettes, alcohol, etc.

The Poarch Creek Indians have offered a bailout on the budget shortfall in exchange for exclusive gaming rights across the state. It stinks to high heaven, but is on the table, though Bentley has said he would veto it. Lottery is also on the table, but he also said he'd veto it. It'll be an interesting showdown. I think the number is about $300 million they have to make up.

The special session is going to be the most interesting one in my lifetime.

On team A you've got the Governor, who has been completely irrelevant for his entire term until now because a veto override in Alabama is a simply majority vote and the legislature's been moving as one over the last few terms.

BUT NOW

We've got Team B of Del Marsh & the state Senate appearing to now be in the pocket of the McGregor casino crowd

AND

We've got Team C of a chunk of the House appearing to be in the pocket of Poarch creek and attempting to get an exclusive deal for them. You've also got a house speaker currently under felony indictment and scheduled for trial later in the year.

Of course, Poarch creek wins if either teams B or C get their way. If the McGregor faction wins, Federal law says Poarch Creek gets to have the same games, they'll just have competition.

It is going to be a dog-and-pony show of the finest order.