MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) – Alabama lawmakers return for the 2019 legislative session on Tuesday. Gov. Kay Ivey will discuss her agenda in her State of the State address Tuesday evening. Here are some key issues to watch when lawmakers return.
LOTTERY
Republican Sen. Jim McClendon of Springville plans to bring back a proposed constitutional amendment to establish a state lottery. Alabama is one of only five states without a state lottery. McClendon’s proposal would split proceeds evenly between the state education budget and the general fund. It would also allow video lottery terminals at state dog tracks. A previous legislative effort to start a state lottery was mired in disputes over electronic gambling machines.
GAS TAX
The marque issue is Gov. Kay Ivey’s proposed 10-cent gas tax increase to fund road and bridge construction. The increase would be phased in over three years and then indexed to construction costs. The Republican governor has the backing of GOP legislative leadership. However, the Alabama Republican Party committee voted to oppose a gas tax increase, noting its increasing the overall tax burden unless there is a tax cut elsewhere. Lawmakers anticipate Ivey will call a special session to focus attention on the issue and bypass tough procedural vote hurdles that exist in a regular session.
PRISONS
The Alabama Department of Corrections is seeking more than a $40 million increase, much of which would be u sed to try to hire additional corrections officers. The state faces a directive from a federal judge to increase prison staff. Ivey is also pursuing a plan to build three regional prisons. However, the administration is considering leasing the facilities, which would bypass the need for the Alabama Legislature to approve a bond issue.
