Staff Report
Alabama Political Reporter
MONTGOMERY — House Minority Leader Craig Ford said Tuesday he wants to restart a discussion about a state lottery as an answer to Alabama’s recurring budget problems.
In the Democratic response to Republican Gov. Robert Bentley’s State of the State address to a joint legislative session, Ford said if Bentley vows no new taxes, alternatives to dramatic budget cuts will need consideration.
“This is the time to reissue the lottery talk,” Ford said.
“I think we need to look at all the options.”
In his speech, Bentley said he would veto any new tax and would protect several state government and education programs, but would cut spending and even consolidate some agencies in order to meet the constitutional mandate of balanced budgets. He didn’t name the agencies destined for cuts.
