By PHILLIP RAWLS
The Associated Press

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — The sponsor of legislation to allow electronic bingo at the dog tracks in Mobile County and Birmingham couldn't get the winning numbers in last year's legislative session. But he's back for another try this year.

And he's got the support of two budget committee chairmen.

Rep. Marcel Black, D-Tuscumbia, introduced a proposed constitutional amendment on Thursday that would allow electronic bingo games at the dog tracks in Mobile County and Birmingham. The games would be like those operated by the dog tracks in Macon and Greene counties and like those run by the Poarch Band of Creek Indians in Montgomery, Wetumpka and Atmore

Black's legislation would tax the games in Birmingham and Mobile County at 20 percent of the gross revenue after paying out winnings. The tax revenue — estimated by proponents at $172 million annually — would be used to finance the state Medicaid program.



After Black introduced his bill Thursday, Sen. Roger Bedford, chairman of the Senate Finance and Taxation-General Fund Committee, and Rep. John Knight, chairman of the House Government Appropriations Committee, held a news conference to support it.

"We are here because we need the money to balance the budget," Knight, D-Montgomery, said.

Bedford, D-Russellville, said Gov. Bob Riley has proposed a change in the state's severance tax on oil and natural gas wells to help the state General Fund budget, but it's uncertain whether the Legislature will pass the tax proposal. If the bill fails, the tax on electronic bingo could fill the hole in the budget, he said.

"It's time we put all options on the table," Bedford said.