Windom galliher Montgomery update July 27, 2016 Hot enough for you? How about a lottery? Gov. Bentley says he’ll call session to debate lottery only Heat and humidity lay siege to Mont- gomery each summer, but this year’s oppressive onslaught can’t stop the polit- ical wheels from turning. In fact, after Gov. Robert Bentley’s announcement of an impending special session, it’s only going to get hotter. Gov. Bentley released a video early Wednesday morning that served as his announcement that he will be calling the Legislature into session to debate a con- stitutional amendment that would call for GOV. ROBERT BENTLEY RELEASES VIDEO TO SAY HE’LL SOON CALL THE LEGISLATURE a referendum on a statewide lottery. INTO SPECIAL SESSION TO DEBATE A LOTTERY FOR ‘ESSENTIAL NEEDS’ OF THE STATE In the five-minute video, Gov. Bentley said he wanted to give the people the Bentley used non-specific phrases like detrimental to gaining others – primarily right to vote on the issue, and said he “essential” and “basic” needs of the African-American Democrats. believes the people want that right. What state. But he didn’t box himself into say- In the Senate, President Pro Tem Del he didn’t offer was a clear plan for where ing the lottery would be for the General Marsh (R-Anniston) and Sen. Jim McClen- the money would go, nor did he say when Fund, where Medicaid, Corrections and don (R-Springville) will be front-and- the courts system are struggling. Most the session would start. center on any bill that emerges from the agree the Education Trust Fund is in th Most have been divided into two camps good financial health, but many also 7 floor of the Statehouse. on a start date. In order to get a referen- agree that selling an education lottery to The House is entirely a different matter. dum on the general election ballot, it the people might be an easier task. With a practical vacancy in the Speaker’s must pass the Legislature by August 24. chair – House Speaker Pro Tem Victor That fact led to many speculating that Rest assured, there will be plenty of ma- Gaston (R-Mobile) is serving in an acting the session would begin in mid-August – neuvering to try to find the winning num- capacity – there is no one to marshal somewhere around Aug. 15. Gov. Bent- bers – so to speak – to make the lottery support in the lower chamber. Of course, ley indicated in his video that he would happen. that presumes the new Speaker would be launching a tour of the state to carry Will it be an easy lift? No. Is it impossi- his plan to the people. Some surmised even want to follow this path. ble? No. In a perfect world, lottery sup- that he would wait until mid-September In fact, the first order of business for the porters would want to have the referen- to start the session, giving him another House in a special session would be to dum on the ballot for November’s gen- month to reinforce his message. Gov. elect a new Speaker to succeed Mike eral election. If that is to occur, a lot of Bentley says a “lottery only” would raise Hubbard. A gaggle of candidates are work must be done in short order and a $225 million annually for the state. moving around attempting to round up lot of dominoes have to fall. the votes necessary to become the new We’ve been on the phones and talking Gov. Bentley did say in his video that he presiding officer. House Republicans are with as many as we could today, and we would be advocating for a lottery only scheduled to meet Tuesday to pick the believe that the session will start in mid- and would not push for expanded gam- presumptive Speaker. August. ing. While a “lottery only” approach is As for the proceeds of the lottery, Gov. helpful toward gaining some votes, it is (Please see SPEAKER, Page 2) PAGE TWO WINDOM GALLIHER MONTGOMERY UPDATE JULY 27, 2016 Speaker (From Page 1) Our view is that the Speaker’s race is shaking down to a two-man battle be- tween Rules Chairman Mac McCutcheon (R-Monrovia) and General Fund Budget Chairman Steve Clouse (R-Ozark). Judici- ary Chairman Mike Jones (R-Andalusia) and Rep. Lynn Greer (R-Rogersville) are probably next in line. Late to the race REP. MAC McCUTCHEON (R-MONROVIA) AND REP. STEVE CLOUSE (R-OZARK) LEAD was Veterans Affairs Committee Chair- THE PACK OF CANDIDATES TO BECOME THE NEXT SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE man Barry Moore (R-Enterprise). Of the group of House Republicans that fought chairmanship. – ties to the controversy regarding the Hubbard in the last two sessions, Rep. departure of Spencer Collier at the Ala- Both have been bruised in the usual Phil Williams (R-Huntsville) is still in the bama Law Enforcement Agency. Gov. wear and tear of leadership in the Legis- Bentley placed Collier, his former legisla- race, too. lature, but both are respected for their tive colleague and close friend, on medi- But with House Republicans unlikely to generally calm and easy-going demean- cal leave, and then later dismissed him. break from the tradition of the majority ors. party picking the Speaker, it is difficult to Joe Espy, Gov. Bentley’s highly regarded This drama is playing out concurrently see a path for Rep. Williams to gain trac- attorney, says he doesn’t think the grand to a heated presidential election. Dozens tion in the race – despite calls from jury is targeting the governor. Others of the state’s Republicans have made Democrat members of the House. Rep. think differently. Either way, the doings their way home from the convention in Patricia Todd (D-Birmingham) considers in Montgomery are being discussed by a Cleveland where U.S. Sen. Jeff Sessions’ herself a “candidate,” too but readily grand jury and that tends to elevate the early endorsement of now-nominee Don- acknowledges she has no chance. ald Trump has paid off with membership blood pressure of many. Rep. McCutcheon was elected to the in the campaign’s inner circle. This Former Speaker Hubbard is gearing up House in 2006 and quickly emerged as week, Democrats are in Philadelphia to for his appeal after being sentenced to a leader on transportation and crime nominate Hillary Clinton, but Alabama four years in prison after being convicted issues. When our own Blaine Galliher still looks to be solidly “red” in Novem- of 12 counts of using his office for per- resigned his seat in 2012, Rep. ber. sonal gain. Four Republicans are fighting McCutcheon was tabbed as Rules Chair- for the right to be the nominee to suc- With his commitment to pushing for a man – leader of the committee that sets ceed him in the Legislature. A Libertarian lottery referendum, Gov. Bentley has will be on the general election ballot, but the daily agenda in the House. found his way back into the news other Democrats haven’t found a candidate Rep. Clouse was elected in 1994. When than his recent unpleasantness. Even yet. the Republicans gained a majority – su- so, it looms in the shadows behind him. permajority, to be accurate – in 2010, A grand jury has been convened in Mont- Some would say it’s just another slow Rep. Clouse was named co-chair of the gomery, and it may or may not be look- Montgomery summer. The heat index in House Ways & Means General Fund ing into Gov. Bentley and his former Montgomery is scorching, and it doesn’t Committee. Two years later when his co- aide, Rebekah Mason. look to be dropping any time soon. The chair, Jim Barton, resigned from the political heat index will remain up there The parade of folks that has apparently House, Rep. Clouse assumed the full appeared to have something in common as well. Www.windomgalliher.com Windom, Galliher & Associates 334-241-0078 Note: The Windom Galliher Montgomery Update publishes weekly during the legislative session, monthly in the off-season, and as events warrant otherwise. .