The Alabama Legislature can actually chew gum and walk at the same time, but nobody seemed to care this past week.

With the Alabama House of Representatives passage of a constitutional amendment and a bill to set forth the details to legalize gambling in the state, that is all anyone has been talking about in Montgomery and beyond.

For decades, the debate over gaming has consumed hours at the statehouse, but has only made it to the ballot once, when Alabama voters rejected a state lottery in 1999.

However, last week the state representatives pushed through the legislation on the sixth legislative day with very little effort despite the strong criticism from conservative groups.

Thus, it was what has gotten all of the attention from the activities in the state capital. Yet, while their counterparts were moving quickly to pass the gambling bills, the Alabama Senate was approving legislation promised by state leaders.