MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey called Tuesday night for the creation of a limited school voucher program and announced support for two controversial measures before lawmakers this year: gambling legislation and absentee ballot restrictions.
Lawmakers kicked off the 2024 legislative session with key votes on gambling, elections and education looming. Ivey used her annual State of the State address to lay out priorities for the year.
The Republican governor announced her support for gambling legislation being developed in the Alabama House of Representatives that would authorize a statewide vote on a state lottery and a select number of casino sites. There has not been a statewide vote on gambling since former Gov. Don Siegelman’s proposed lottery failed in 1999. Bills have stalled under a mix of conservative opposition to legalized gambling as a revenue source and disputes over who would get casino licenses.
“Now is the time for Alabama voters to have another say on this issue,” Ivey said Tuesday night.