Former Vice President and current presidential candidate Mike Pence will take part in the Gridiron Men’s Conference in Huntsville this weekend.
Pence told Dale Jackson the conference brings people together around what he thinks the country needs more of: faith, freedom and family.
“We’re looking forward to being in Alabama today and speaking at a conference that I think holds an awful lot of the keys for how we move our country forward and move our country together,” Pence said.
“I’ve always believed that there’s more that unites us in this country than could ever divide us. And chief among those things are faith in our love of freedom and our love of family. And tonight in Huntsville, at the Waldrep ministries, we’re going to be focusing on just those values and sharing a bit about our faith and the story of our family. And I’m excited to be there.”
You can watch the legendary interview in full:
Former Vice President Mike Pence joined "The Dale Jackson Show" and had a lot to say about the direction of the country, his time as VP, and his run for president.
I did not ask him a bunch of questions about Trump, pardons, and January 6… it has been done, Google it. pic.twitter.com/v4ZmyTbSUY
— Dale Jackson – "Alabama's Most Trusted Journalist" (@TheDaleJackson) June 16, 2023
They also delved into topics Pence is encumbering more and more as he takes his candidacy across the country.
“Last week, we all lived through a sad day for America,” Pence said. “When we for the first time in history, we saw the unprecedented indictment of a former president of the United States, as I’ve said, the charges brought in the indictment are serious, but former President Trump deserves his day in court, he deserves the opportunity to make his defense and I and I stand by the rule of law.
RELATED: Trump to speak at ALGOP summer meeting
“I’m going to continue to call on the Justice Department to move forward with the investigations thoroughly in connection with the president and his family, just as they have with regard to my former running mate.”
Tonight, Pence will join Dr. Robert Jeffress and Dr. David Jeremiah, along with Rick Burgess, of the “Rick and Bubba Show” for an interview-style conversation regarding his faith.
“We are looking forward to having Mr. Pence with us to talk about why America needs a spiritual revival,” said conference founder Phil Waldrep in a news release. “This is not a political event and we extended the invitation to Mr. Pence last year, far before he announced his run for president.”
This year’s theme for Gridiron is “Revival.” The two-day men’s event ends Saturday.
Grayson Everett is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @Grayson270
The Alabama Policy Institute (API) on Thursday will hold its 30th-anniversary celebration at the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum in Leeds.
The celebration will feature a reception at 5:30 p.m. CT followed by the program commencing at 7:00 p.m.
Rick Burgess, the popular radio co-host of “The Rick & Bubba Show,” will emcee the celebration.
The evening will also honor Congressman Gary Palmer (AL-06), API’s cofounder.
Gary Bauer, former president of the Family Research Council and former senior vice president of Focus on the Family, will deliver a keynote address. (more…)
Alabama’s famed radio duo Rick Burgess and Bill “Bubba” Bussey are bringing their unique brand of conservative commentary and comedy to CRTV – the Conservative Review’s media company.
CRTV announced in a press release that “The Rick & Bubba Show” will be simulcast through its online video subscription service. Current subscribers to the show will also receive access to all of CRTV’s additional offerings.
Rick and Bubba expressed their enthusiasm for this new way for viewers to connect with the show.
“We are honored to join the CRTV lineup!” Burgess said. “This is a win for our current audience, and it will expose our show to an entirely new audience. CRTV gives us the technology and the freedom to access any audience that wants to see our show without some programming ‘genius’ standing in the way.”
Bussey added, “We are excited to join the CRTV lineup! This is a great step forward in our ability to grow our national footprint and move to the latest cutting-edge delivery system. We are looking forward to sharing the stage with some of the top thinkers, patriots, and broadcasters in the business!”
Rick and Bubba have been “broadcasting the truth about God, guns, family and food” for more than 20 years. They can currently be heard on over 65 radio stations nationwide, reaching over 1.2 million Americans. (more…)
Monday afternoon, radio host Rick Burgess of the Birmingham-based and nationally syndicated Rick & Bubba Show announced he suffered a gallbladder attack during his morning show.
Burgess added that he will be undergoing surgery to remove his gallbladder Tuesday morning. He hopes to return to work Thursday following the procedure.
Sadly another gallbladder attack during the show today will lead to surgery to remove it tomorrow morning. I will likely be out the next two shows and hopefully back Thursday. Also there will be no Bible Study Wed. Will resume next week. Rest of the guys will be there both days
— rick burgess (@bigvox) August 6, 2018
Sean Ross is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @sean_yhn
On Tuesday’s broadcast of the syndicated “Rick & Bubba” radio program, co-host Bill “Bubba” Bussey called out Yellowhammer News for highlighting his co-host Rick Burgess’ comments about the 2018 gubernatorial race and neglecting to mention Bussey was in “lockstep” with Burgess’ views.
Bussey and Burgess are both supporters of Republican gubernatorial hopeful Scott Dawson and Republican lieutenant gubernatorial hopeful Will Ainsworth.
The “Rick & Bubba” co-hosts were reflecting on a previous caller’s criticism of Burgess on the issue of global warming, to which Burgess noted he is often on the receiving end despite the two having the same opinion issues. Bussey stated that Burgess also tended to be the one showcased by news stories on the particular topic of Dawson’s run for governor.
Friday on the Birmingham-based “Rick & Bubba” radio show, co-host Rick Burgess sounded off on what the future may hold if current Gov. Kay Ivey wins the Republican gubernatorial nomination next month and is in a head-to-head match-up with potential Democratic Party nominee Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox.
Burgess, a supporter of Republican gubernatorial hopeful Scott Dawson, was responding to a caller that was seemingly a supporter of Ivey and offered a warning to those willing to support Ivey given any circumstances.
According to Burgess, such blind support sets up a potential repeat of Alabama’s 2017 special election GOP U.S. senatorial nominee Roy Moore’s performance, who lost narrowly to Doug Jones last December.
Thursday on the “Rick & Bubba” radio program, Republican gubernatorial hopeful Scott Dawson elaborated on why he raised the issue of Gov. Kay Ivey’s distribution of federal grant money through the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) to Free2Be, an organization described as an LGBTQ activist group that has an apparent questionable past.
Earlier this week, Dawson held two press conference raising the issue. Dawson received backlash and was accused of having an ulterior motive by raising the issue, especially given outgoing State Rep. Patricia Todd (D-Birmingham) used the announcement to advance the rumor Ivey was gay.
However, with the aid of “Rick & Bubba” co-host Rick Burgess, the two dismissed the notion there was any other intent behind raising questions about the grant money and explained why that it was an issue.
Thursday on his syndicated “Rick & Bubba” radio show program, co-host Rick Burgess, a supporter of Republican gubernatorial hopeful Scott Dawson, speculated on what might have caused Alabama State Rep. Patricia Todd (D-Birmingham) to post a tweet questioning the sexuality of Gov. Kay Ivey.
Burgess’s comments were in response to a caller’s remarks about Todd’s tweet. The caller suggested the tweet set Ivey up for the sympathy vote in next month’s Republican gubernatorial primary, and he went on to add that Ivey would be an easier opponent for Democrats in November.
Burgess made the case that Todd may have tipped off Democrats’ strategy for November in a possible general election setting, which he said was a good thing for Republicans.
There’s been men like Will… that’ve said, “you know what, we can all sit around and complain about it, or we can actually get up and do something.”
This is a man who knows about business, knows about the free market and has been successful in it.
I see his passion for discipling people and bringing them to Christ, so I know this is a call. Will Ainsworth doesn’t have to do this, which makes me want to support him even more… He and his wife… They feel called to serve the state.
There’s been men like Will… that’ve said, “you know what, we can all sit around and complain about it, or we can actually get up and do something.”
This is a man who knows about business, knows about the free market and has been successful in it.
I see his passion for discipling people and bringing them to Christ, so I know this is a call. Will Ainsworth doesn’t have to do this, which makes me want to support him even more… He and his wife… They feel called to serve the state.
There’s been men like Will… that’ve said, “you know what, we can all sit around and complain about it, or we can actually get up and do something.”
This is a man who knows about business, knows about the free market and has been successful in it.
I see his passion for discipling people and bringing them to Christ, so I know this is a call. Will Ainsworth doesn’t have to do this, which makes me want to support him even more… He and his wife… They feel called to serve the state.
There’s been men like Will… that’ve said, “you know what, we can all sit around and complain about it, or we can actually get up and do something.”
This is a man who knows about business, knows about the free market and has been successful in it.
I see his passion for discipling people and bringing them to Christ, so I know this is a call. Will Ainsworth doesn’t have to do this, which makes me want to support him even more… He and his wife… They feel called to serve the state.
There’s been men like Will… that’ve said, “you know what, we can all sit around and complain about it, or we can actually get up and do something.”
This is a man who knows about business, knows about the free market and has been successful in it.
I see his passion for discipling people and bringing them to Christ, so I know this is a call. Will Ainsworth doesn’t have to do this, which makes me want to support him even more… He and his wife… They feel called to serve the state.
PELHAM — The threat of severe weather didn’t keep rallygoers from attending Republican gubernatorial hopeful Scott Dawson’s campaign kickoff rally on Monday.
Before for a crowd of a few hundred at the Pelham Civic Complex, Dawson hosted an event that featured syndicated morning drive talkers Rick Burgess and Bill “Bubba” Bussey of “The Rick and Bubba Show,” and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, a two-time presidential candidate and Fox News Channel personality.
(more…)
More than 20,000 write-in votes were cast on Dec. 12 for Alabama’s special Senate election, along with the expected names of Luther Strange and Alabama football coach Nick Saban.
Republicans Martha Roby (Montgomery), Bradley Byrne (Mobile), Mike Rogers (Tuskegee), Robert Aderholt (Gadsden) and Gary Palmer (Vestavia Hills) all received votes to be Alabama’s next senator.
Of the delegation, Roby claimed the most with at least 15 votes.
Birmingham radio hosts Rick Burgess and Bill “Bubba” Bussey both received several votes.
While Bussey earned 5 votes, Burgess was the choice of the duo with 7 votes.
Dianne Bentley, ex-wife of former Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley, who resigned in April over allegations of finance and ethics violations, beat out her former husband 4 votes to 2.
Rick Burgess, popular radio personality and co-host of the “Rick and Bubba Show,” has endorsed Republican candidate Will Ainsworth for Lieutenant Governor. According to a press release from Ainsworth’s campaign, Burgess believes that Ainsworth’s “fresh perspective, deep religious faith, and devotion to moral principles” make him an excellent candidate for the position.
“Will Ainsworth is a self-made man who doesn’t have to run for lieutenant governor, which makes me want to support him even more because he feels called to serve the state,” Burgess said. “As an Alabamian, I am tired of hearing the same old names all the time…so let’s get some fresh blood and try something different. We cannot afford to take a step backwards in this lieutenant governor’s race, and while I have no ill will toward anybody else who is running, I know Will Ainsworth and the job he will do for us.”
Burgess said that new blood is what Montgomery needs in order to clean up the corruption that has plagued the capitol city in recent years, referring to politicians in Montgomery as football coaches with a losing record. Burgess said that men and women of integrity, like Ainsworth, will be able to change our state for the better.
“My family and I are supporting Will Ainsworth for lieutenant governor not just because we love Will, but because we love Alabama, and we know it can do better,” Burgess said. “I hope you’ll prayerfully commit and join us in supporting Will if not for yourself, then for our children and the next generation.”
Burgess gave his endorsement at an Ainsworth campaign event at the Fish Market Restaurant in Hoover. Ainsworth expressed his gratitude for the endorsement, saying, “Rick Burgess is someone I look up to in life because he uses the platform of radio for the kingdom of God. He has influenced more people for the kingdom of God than anyone I know, so I appreciate his support.”
A couple of weeks ago, Yellowhammer reported that Rick Burgess announced his endorsement of gubernatorial candidate Scott Dawson on the Rick & Bubba show. Today, we were able to catch up with Mr. Dawson to ask about his candidacy, starting with why he’s running.
I’m running because it’s time for fresh leadership from someone other than a politician. For 30 years, I’ve mobilized communities to work towards one goal and Alabama needs someone who can rally its citizens around a common goal—a better Alabama. For change to take place, there has to be a turning point, a time when people decide they’ve had enough of the status quo, and I believe we’re at that turning point.
While discussions about the ‘what’ and the ‘how’ of change are important, even more important is the ‘why’. My ‘why’ is that this is a burden God has given me and I’m obligated to follow His leading. For that reason, I don’t have to wake up each day fearing the polls or the pundits. There’s great freedom in just obeying God because it empowers me to make decisions based on my convictions of what I believe this state needs instead following the whims of the day.
Mr. Dawson’s answer prompted Yellowhammer to ask what the state needs to become a ‘better Alabama’ and he said the answer begins with a true understanding of the concerns of its people.
People feel like they no longer have a voice and I want to give them one. In most every race for state office, the three big issues are the same: jobs, industry, and education. While I’m in no way minimizing the importance of those things—they’re very important—it seems most candidates just repackage their take on those big issues in every campaign. I want to start by listening to what the people are saying. That’s why we’re embarking on our listening tour, which we’re calling Listening to Alabama. True communication starts with listening to understand, not just to respond. I’m going to listen to understand the concerns of the people of Alabama.
When we asked Mr. Dawson how he would implement the things he learned on his listening tour, he said that a good place to start is doing a better job of involving the people of Alabama in the process, beyond the voting booth.
Government officials leave a great deal on the table by failing to involve private citizens in implementing change. For example, there’s constant talk in Montgomery about prison reform, and that’s needed, but rarely do we hear anything about reforming prisoners. That’s best done through private-public partnerships, by involving churches, civic groups, and volunteers. The same is true of literacy and increasing graduation rates, as the Project Literacy and Project Graduation campaigns are showing in Marshall County. They’re taking a handful of volunteers from Progress Rail and making a lasting difference in the lives of children and teenagers, breaking the cycle of high school drop outs. The point is, if we harness the power of our citizens, we can make a tremendous difference. It truly should be government ‘of the people, by the people, and for the people’ as Lincoln said, and if we listen to the wise people of this state, and involve them in the change we must bring, Alabama can become the great state it has the potential to be.
Readers can learn more about Dawson’s campaign at scottdawson.com
Larry Huff is Yellowhammer’s Executive Editor and you can find him on Twitter @LHYellowhammer
Late last week, the Rick & Bubba Show’s Rick Burgess tweeted that he would make a big announcement today about the 2018 Alabama governor’s race.
While many of his fans expressed hope that this meant he’s running for governor, Rick spoke with Yellowhammer this weekend and explained that his announcement “will be better than that.” The “better than that” Burgess said, is his endorsement of his close friend of twenty years, Birmingham evangelist Scott Dawson. Mr. Dawson announced his candidacy on the Rick & Bubba show at 7:20 this morning, with Rick adding that Scott Dawson has his support.
Reflecting on the process that brought him to this decision, Burgess—named to Yellowhammer’s Power & Influence 50 list as one of the fifty most influential people in the state the last two years—explained: “While we all need to be open to what God may have for us at any moment, just because He’s given me a platform in one arena doesn’t mean I’m the best person to excel in another. As I prayed about this and talked with my closest friends, what quickly became apparent is that Scott is a great fit to run for governor at a time when our state desperately needs to restore its credibility and integrity in Montgomery. I believe Scott Dawson is the man Alabama needs for ‘such a time as this’.”
Burgess was also quick to stress that he typically steers clear of politics because endorsing anyone “is a really big deal that I take very seriously.” As he explained, “Many of our listeners asked if I’m running and when I tell them it’s not likely their first question is always, ‘well, who will you support?’ That’s a tremendous responsibility. God has given me this platform, people trust me, and with that comes the burden to make sure I’m as thoughtful and wise as I can be about things like this. That’s why I only support those I truly know and trust, as was the case with Gary Palmer when he was elected to Congress.”
As we continued to chat, Burgess stressed that his endorsement of Scott Dawson is not a suggestion that other candidates don’t have integrity or that they’re not good people; it just means he’s supporting Dawson because of the “deep mutual trust” they share. “When I say we need to restore our integrity at the Capital,” Burgess said, “I’m referring to all of the fall-outs down there over the last couple of years. I want to be very clear here: supporting one person doesn’t mean I’m against anyone else in the race. It just means that I don’t know them the way I know Scott.”
Burgess also explained that his trust in Dawson isn’t the product of a superficial relationship and that Dawson’s depth of character has a great deal to do with his endorsement. “The kind of relationship Scott and I enjoy is one forged through some incredibly hard times, not the least of which was the passing of my son. The Bible’s ‘iron sharpening iron’ phrase gets overused, but I’m telling you when you experience life with a friend as I have with Scott, and you walk through the fire together, you truly get to know someone. Scott’s character has been proven over and over again in private, and that’s why I’m so confident of the kind of man he will be in public. A man just can’t fake the kind of wisdom, love, and character that defines Scott Dawson’s life and his success.”
When asked to elaborate, Burgess continued. “When you see people they usually fall into one of two categories: There’s the ‘Look, here I am’ kind of people and the ‘Look, there you are you are,’ kind of people. Scott is a ‘Look, there you are’ kind of man. In other words, he’s not thinking ‘What can you do for me?’ he’s thinking ‘What can I do for you?’ That’s just who Scott Dawson is. Not only does he have the intelligence, competencies, and wisdom to restore our state, Scott is free from the burden that seems to ruin so many people in Montgomery—that burden that says ‘this is all about me.’ Once a person has that mindset, it doesn’t take long for the wheels to come off, and frankly, I think that’s been the case way too often in the Governor’s mansion and the State House in general. I know Scott Dawson, and I know that no office or position will ever make him into that kind of man. He doesn’t need to be governor. He wants to follow God’s leading. That’s a huge difference. That doesn’t mean he’ll be elected, but it does mean he’s obedient. Those are the reasons he’s my guy,” Burgess concluded.
Editor’s Note: The Rick & Bubba Show is broadcast live from Vestavia Hills, Alabama and is heard and seen by over 3.5 million people every day on over 70 radio & TV stations across the nation, and some fifteen stations in Alabama alone.
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Renowned conservative radio talk show host Rick Burgess wants to make one thing abundantly clear: he loves his daughter. Brandi Burgess’ announcement to the world that she is bisexual earlier this month provided ample fodder for the left, leading to accusations that the Christian co-host of Rick & Bubba disowned his daughter over her choices. But according to Rick, nothing could be further from the truth.
“There has been no one disowned, and there never has been in any way shape or form,” Burgess said on his show today. “It’s no more complicated than we disagree with our daughter, and she disagrees with us.”
In an interview with Al.com, Brandi Burgess described herself as “a queer person living in Philadelphia…I am an actor, theater maker, and educator. I am an activist for gender equality, feminism, social justice, and a better tomorrow.”
Although he loves Brandi, Burgess does not support her choices and does not want to encourage her. He said that he and his wife have assumed the role of prodigal parents, who want her to repent.
But his views will not prevent him from being there for his daughter in times of need.
“When she does need help from us in any way, shape, or form – now we’re not going to help any way with their wants, because that would be endorsing the way she’s doing – but if she has a true need and at any time, she she knows she could call on us and we would be there,” he said.
Burgess added that if his daughter wants to repent as the prodigal son did, “She ain’t even gotta come a long way, we’ll run to her.”
Throughout the segment, Burgess emphasized the importance of loving each other, but also loving God. “We love her enough not to disown, but love her enough that we will not condone, and pat her on the back, and confirm something that we think is detrimental to her eternity and detrimental to other people.”
Burgess and his wife, Sheri, first shared their side of the story on Rick & Bubba back on January 14. But after the attacks he received from liberal blogs and individuals, Burgess felt compelled to readdress the issue again today.
You can watch Burgess’ most recent comments on the issue in the video below.
Eighty-one-year-old former University of Alabama football coach Gene Stallings stopped by the Birmingham, Alabama-based, nationally syndicated Rick and Bubba Show this week, opening up an opportunity for the hosts to ask him whether certain “legendary stories” about his time in Tuscaloosa are actually true. Stallings did not disappoint.
After winning the 1992 National Championship, Coach Stallings and the Crimson Tide went to Washington, D.C., to meet the President of the United States, as is the annual tradition. Bill Clinton was occupying the White House, but when the time came for the team to meet the president, he was nowhere to be found.
“He was late for everything,” Stallings quipped. “So a Secret Service man came over to me and said, ‘Now, the president is awfully busy. He’s meeting some ambassador or something. I said, ‘Well, you tell the president he’s got ten minutes to come out here and if he’s not out here in ten minutes, I’m taking this football team back to Alabama.’ He said, ‘Are your serious?’ I said, ‘Well, I am, but now you’ve just got nine minutes.’ We had a plane to catch and couldn’t wait on him all day; we’d waited for him out there about thirty minutes. And in about five minutes, here he came. He was very gracious.”
On another occasion, then-Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Colin Powell visited Tuscaloosa and wanted to meet the Alabama football team with the press in tow.
“They told me, ‘The General wants the news media to cover it.,'” Stallings recalled. “I said, ‘No, there’s not going to be any news media. I want him to talk to the players. Now, he’s in charge when he’s in that helicopter and gets out. But he gets in this building and I’m in charge. I’ll tell him where to sit and what to do.’ And so anyway, we had a good relationship and he visited with the players and signed every autograph for these players, so he was very gracious.”
Check out the video above for more legendary Gene Stallings stories.
(Video above: Rick & Bubba tackle socialism)
Alabama-based, nationally-syndicated talk radio hosts Rick Burgess and Bill “Bubba” Bussey took to the airwaves Thursday to address the rise of socialism in the United States, pointing to horrifying recent events in Venezuela as evidence that the socialist system simply does not work in practice.
“Sadly, a large number in our country, they just almost yearn for us to become more like the great socialistic societies — ‘If we could just be more like places like Venezuela,'” said Burgess. “Well, Venezuela at one time was a pretty happening place, until socialism took over. Sad story, Bubba. Starving Venezuelans, guess where they’re finding food? In the zoo.”
Burgess referenced recent reports that the food shortages in Venezuela have become so widespread that zoo animals are not only starving, they are actually being stolen and eaten by local residents who are desperate to survive.
“If people are breaking into zoos and eating the animals that are also starving, things are coming apart,” he concluded.
Bussey laid the blame at the feet of Hugo Chávez, the former Venezuelan president and socialist revolutionary who died in 2013, and the subsequent Nicolás Maduro administration, which has continued its predecessor’s socialist policies.
“We have a country with a booming economy, that has a vibrant oil production, and along comes Hugo Chávez and his group,” he explained. “They basically take control of the government. They nationalize all the refineries, throw out the private investment, run out the United States, and then they’re going to keep all that money for themselves in Venezuela. And now they’re to the point of financial collapse and people are eating zoo animals. What happened in between those two points? Socialism… And I’ll tell you what it is, it’s crooked politicians. At least in a capitalistic democracy you can eventually get them out. It may take a little time… But you can make a change. When somebody has all the media, all the education, all the guns, you have no choice.”
Burgess’s brother, Greg, also noted recent pictures showing top Venezuelan government officials “still wearing luxury watches.”
“That’s how that socialism works, now, everybody’s suffering — or, even when it’s clicking everybody’s average — but the ruling class does not live that way,” he said.
“They rant about equality, about anti-imperialism, about capitalism, but there is no problem in the ruling class in Venezuela,” Bussey concurred. “But the working people below them are breaking into zoos to eat.”
Check out the full segment in the video above.
MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Alabama Republicans are almost evenly split when asked whether they believe the state should create a lottery, but remain overwhelmingly against the further expansion of casino gambling in the state, according to a recently-released.
The Alabama Forestry Association, one of the state’s most influential conservative groups, commissioned a survey of 600 likely Republican primary voters and found half of them either “strongly approve” or “somewhat approve” of a lottery. Cherry Communications, a Florida-based public opinion research firm, conducted the survey.
RELATED: Roy Moore tops crowded potential field in first 2018 Alabama gubernatorial poll
When asked, “Do you approve or disapprove of the creation of an Alabama State Lottery,” here’s how Alabama Republicans responded:
Strongly approve: 33%
Somewhat approve: 17%
Somewhat disapprove: 10%
Strongly disapprove: 32%
Undecided: 8%
But when Alabama Republicans were asked, “Do you approve or disapprove of expanding casino gambling in Alabama,” here’s how they responded:
Strongly approve: 22%
Somewhat approve: 16%
Somewhat disapprove: 12%
Strongly disapprove: 41%
Undecided: 9%
The Alabama legislature is preparing for a Special Session called by Gov. Robert Bentley to debate passing a bill that would give Alabamians the opportunity to vote up or down on a lottery in November’s General Election.
The last time the issue came up for a vote in 1999 it was voted down 54% to 46%.
Alabama is one of only six states that does not have a lottery, but a gambling expansion of any kind will face fierce opposition from the state’s large swath of evangelical voters.
Dr. Joe Godfrey, executive director of the Alabama Citizens Action Program (ALCAP), an almost 80-year-old organization that describes itself as “Alabama’s moral compass,” earlier this year expressed concerns that “illegal gambling is taking over this state” and reiterated his group’s opposition to an expansion of any kind. Influential Christian conservative talk radio host Rick Burgess added that he believes the lottery is “a lazy plan” for politicians who cannot balance a budget.
“The states that do a lottery, you would think their streets would be paved with gold,” said Burgess. “You would think the teachers make all the money they’d ever want to make. You would think the children have the latest technology. You would think the children want for nothing. That’s not reality.”
But there are signs that some long-time gambling opponents are softening their stance.
“Historically, I’ve opposed them,” powerful state senator Jabo Waggoner (R- Vestavia Hills) told ABC 33/40. But he says he is now considering throwing his support behind a bill that would bring the issue up for a vote again because he views finding money for Medicaid as an “urgent issue.”
The Alabama legislature would have to pass a lottery bill by Aug. 24th for it to meet the scheduling deadline to make it on the ballot in November.
(Video above: Gov. Robert Bentley makes his pitch to the people of Alabama to approve a lottery)
MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley has thrown in the towel on pushing for tax increases to fund the growth of the state’s Medicaid program, announcing Wednesday that he is instead calling a Special Session of the legislature for the specific task of approving a lottery to fund “essential services.”
“In order for our state to be the best that it can be, we must once and for all solve problems that have held our state back for decades,” said Gov. Bentley, alluding to Alabama’s perpetual General Fund Budget crisis. The state’s Medicaid program, which has almost doubled in size over the past decade, is the primary driver of the funding shortfall.
While speaking to doctors at Monroe County Hospital earlier this year, Gov. Bentley said he believes 70 percent of Alabamians would support a lottery proposal that is directly tied to funding Medicaid, a major source of revenue for rural hospitals.
“People think [rural doctors and hospitals] make a lot of money,” Gov. Bentley told reporters. “They don’t make a lot of money. And they serve because they’re called to serve and they love living in a rural area and they love taking care of people. But they have to make a living. And they have to pay their staff, and they have to pay their electric bill, and they have to pay all the things that everyone else has to pay to run a small business.”
Gov. Bentley asked the Legislature to include an additional $100 million appropriation for Medicaid this year, bringing the total request to $785 million. In 2007, Medicaid’s line in the General Fund Budget was only $400 million, and the program’s explosive growth is likely to continue in the years to come.
The legislature ultimately included $700 million in the budget for Medicaid, $85 million short of Gov. Bentley’s request, saying it would be difficult to go any higher than that without slashing other state services.
The State Medicaid Agency responded by reducing reimbursements to doctors back to 2013 levels, which was before ObamaCare implemented a “fee bump.”
“This is a difficult, but necessary cut due to the budget crisis the Medicaid Agency is facing at this time,” said Commissioner Stephanie Azar. The decision saved the state roughly $15 million.
Gov. Bentley believes the only tenable longterm solution is to approve a lottery that could bring in over $200 million annually.
Multiple lottery proposals were floated during this year’s Regular Legislative Session, but the pro-lottery bloc of lawmakers were divided on whether the money should go toward education or the General Fund.
Polling shows an “education lottery” would likely receive more support from the public, which will have to approve any lottery proposal at the ballot box in November, but it is the General Fund, not the Education Budget, that Gov. Bentley says is in need of cash.
Alabama is one of only six states that does not have a lottery, but a gambling expansion of any kind will face fierce opposition from the state’s large swath of evangelical voters.
Dr. Joe Godfrey, executive director of the Alabama Citizens Action Program (ALCAP), an almost 80-year-old organization that describes itself as “Alabama’s moral compass,” earlier this year expressed concerns that “illegal gambling is taking over this state” and reiterated his group’s opposition to an expansion of any kind. Influential Christian conservative talk radio host Rick Burgess added that he believes the lottery is “a lazy plan” for politicians who cannot balance a budget.
“The states that do a lottery, you would think their streets would be paved with gold,” said Burgess. “You would think the teachers make all the money they’d ever want to make. You would think the children have the latest technology. You would think the children want for nothing. That’s not reality. Look at Mississippi. They were last in education… After they brought the casinos into the Gulf, they’re still last.”
The legislature would have to pass a lottery bill before August 24 for it to meet the deadline to be included on the statewide ballot in November.
In 1999, Alabamians voted down Gov. Don Siegelman’s proposed “education lottery” 54% to 46%. Since then, numerous statewide candidates — most of them Democrats — have run on a platform of letting the people vote again.
MONTGOMERY, Ala. — A Special Legislative Session is increasingly likely in the late summer or early fall and Alabama lawmakers are considering options to bring more money into the state’s beleaguered General Fund Budget. With Medicaid approximately $85 million underfunded and little appetite for tax increases, various lottery proposals are getting consideration as legislative leaders weigh their options.
Any lottery legislation must pass by August 24 to meet the deadline for it to be included on the statewide ballot in November. Such a scenario would also create uncertainty for the state’s budgets because the referendum may ultimately be defeated by popular vote, as it was in 1999.
The general idea of a lottery enjoys bi-partisan support in the legislature, and possibly enough votes to pass, but how the money would be used has been a sticking point for years.
Senator Jim McClendon (R-Springville) introduced a lottery bill at the beginning of the last legislative session, and said at the time it would raise $300 million in additional revenue for the state on an annual basis. However, McClendon’s bill did not stipulate how the funds would be used. House Minority Leader Craig Ford (D-Gadsden) has repeatedly introduced legislation that would create a so-called “Education Lottery,” with the revenue earmarked to flow into the state’s Education Budget, but it is the General Fund that is in a perpetual state of crisis.
That has led some lawmakers to propose an Education Lottery, which is more likely to get approved at the ballot box in November, along with moving certain tax revenues currently earmarked for education over to the General Fund.
McClendon is once again working on a lottery proposal for the upcoming Special Session, but plans to iron out the details on how the money would be used prior to introducing a bill.
Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh has indicated that he is taking the pulse of his members before pushing forward with any lottery plan, but sources say he is considering a carrot that could entice at least one influential anti-gambling senator to support a lottery bill: term limits.
“We’d be looking at a three term limit going into effect after the 2018 cycle,” a senator told Yellowhammer on condition of anonymity. “I think if you package that up with strengthening and getting further clarification on the ethics laws, it makes sense.”
Alabama is one of only six states that does not have a lottery, but a gambling expansion of any kind will face fierce opposition from the state’s large swath of evangelical voters, even if it has a popular measure like term limits attached.
Dr. Joe Godfrey, executive director of the Alabama Citizens Action Program (ALCAP), an almost 80-year-old organization that describes itself as “Alabama’s moral compass,” earlier this year expressed concerns that “illegal gambling is taking over this state” and reiterated his group’s opposition to an expansion of any kind. Influential Christian conservative talk radio host Rick Burgess added that he believes the lottery is “a lazy plan” for politicians who cannot balance a budget.
“The states that do a lottery, you would think their streets would be paved with gold,” said Burgess. “You would think the teachers make all the money they’d ever want to make. You would think the children have the latest technology. You would think the children want for nothing. That’s not reality. Look at Mississippi. They were last in education… After they brought the casinos into the Gulf, they’re still last.”
But there are signs that some long-time gambling opponents are softening their stance.
“Historically, I’ve opposed them,” powerful state senator Jabo Waggoner (R- Vestavia Hills) told ABC 33/40. But he says he is now considering throwing his support behind a bill that would bring the issue up for a vote again because he views finding money for Medicaid as an “urgent issue.”
In 1999, Alabamians voted down Gov. Don Siegelman’s proposed “education lottery” 54% to 46%. Since then, numerous statewide candidates — most of them Democrats — have run on a platform of letting the people vote again. Gov. Bentley has said he believes 70 percent of Alabamians would support a lottery to fund Medicaid growth.