State Sen. Del Marsh (R-Anniston) has an ally in his colleague State Sen. Tom Whatley (R-Auburn) in working toward comprehensive gambling legislation that could bring more casino gaming as well as a lottery to Alabama.
During an appearance on Mobile radio’s FM Talk 106.5, Whatley, recently named the chairman of the Alabama Senate Judiciary Committee, acknowledged there were still details to be worked out but argued Marsh was well-equipped to find a consensus on the controversial topic.
“Senator Marsh is a mentor of mine and one of the best people I’ve met in my life — not just politically but personally as well,” he said. “And I’m looking forward to supporting the initiative that he is backing because I know he is a consensus builder. And he will build a consensus to make this legislation that is introduced in the present form certainly will not be the same once it hits the Governor’s desk, or a constitutional amendment when it passes both houses. I know he will do his best to reach a consensus, and I’m looking forward to supporting him.”
However, Whatley suggested time was limited on finding that consensus.
“It is like an apple on a counter,” Whatley explained. “It’s an asset the people of Alabama have, whether you like it or not. It is a diminishing asset that you need to deal with before it becomes worth nothing. I am glad Senator Marsh has picked it up. I know that’s one of the two things he wants to work on this session, and I’m looking forward to backing his consensus-building legislative mission.”
The Lee County lawmaker likened the issue to a puzzle with the pieces available changing based on the circumstances.
“It’s getting down into the weed, but there’s a math formula to it, and there’s a number you have to get to to be able to pass something,” he added. “And every time you make a proposal out there — it is like a puzzle. You may take one piece away, well now I don’t have the whole puzzle. You make another proposal, well you get that piece back, but you lose another piece. And I think Senator Marsh has done a good job of getting all those puzzle pieces in one place and fitting together to get to that magic number that you have to have — 21 in the Senate and 67 in the House. So, I’m looking forward to working with him and seeing this thing to be able to come together because I respect his leadership a great deal.”
@Jeff_Poor is a graduate of Auburn University and the University of South Alabama, the editor of Breitbart TV, a columnist for Mobile’s Lagniappe Weekly, and host of Mobile’s “The Jeff Poor Show” from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. on FM Talk 106.5.
