UPDATE: Alabama House committee approves lottery bill

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) – Lottery legislation has cleared its first hurdle in the Alabama Legislature.

The House Economic Development and Tourism Committee on Wednesday approved a lottery bill after a brief public hearing.

Bill sponsor, Rep. Alan Harper, said people in the state constantly tell him they want a lottery. Alabama is one of only six states without a state lottery.

The bill would put the idea of creating a state lottery before state voters in November. Legislators would decide the details later including how the proceeds would be used.

A Senate committee held a public hearing but did not vote on an identical bill.

Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh said he thought many lawmakers will want revisions to the bill before voting.

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MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) – Lottery legislation is getting its first debate in the Alabama Legislature.

The Senate Tourism and Marketing Committee held a Wednesday public hearing that was dominated by gambling opponents.

Joe Godfrey, executive director of Alabama Citizens Action Program, said the state would be preying on poor families.

Bill sponsor Sen. Jim McClendon said Alabama residents are tired of driving to other states to buy lottery tickets.

McClendon’s bill would put the idea before voters in November, and allow legislators to decide many of the details later.

The committee could vote on the bill as soon as next week. However, Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh said he thought many lawmakers will want more specifics before voting on the bill.

Alabama is one of six states without a state lottery.