Alabama Legislature’s Bid for Gaming Expansion Fizzles as Senate Rejects Bills in Nail-Biting Vote
The Alabama Legislature encountered a stalemate on Thursday, failing to push through highly contested gaming bills on the concluding day of the state’s legislative session. Despite the House’s approval of two bills supporting gaming expansion, they faltered in the Senate, falling short by one vote due to Sen. Greg Albritton’s reversal.
House approval, Senate hurdle:
On April 30, the Alabama House endorsed the ongoing gaming bills, with House Bill 151 securing a 72-29 vote and House Bill 152 passing with a 70-29 vote. However, the momentum fizzled as the bills hit the Senate floor. Senator Greg Albritton, R-Baldwin County, initially sponsored the bills in the Senate but indicated a potential ‘no’ vote after their House passage. With Albritton’s reversal, the bills fell short of the required 21 votes, garnering only 20.
Following the House’s affirmative votes, Representative Russell Blackshear expressed gratitude, highlighting the bipartisan effort behind the bills’ advancement. “It’s amazing when you work together as a team, when things don’t have Rs or Ds by their names,” …
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