Davis Says 'Sweet Home Alabama' Bill Needs Changes

MONTGOMERY — Democratic gubernatorial candidate Artur Davis said Monday the “Sweet Home Alabama” gambling bill pending in the Legislature needs changes.

Davis, who represents Alabama’s 7th Congressional District, also said the recent shakeup in potential candidates for governor, including the decision by Democratic Lt. Gov. Jim Folsom Jr. not to run, did not change his campaign strategy for next year’s election.

Davis was in Montgomery on Monday as part of a weeklong tour throughout the state. He and other candidates are beginning to stake out their views on gambling, which has been a major issue in every Alabama governor’s race for 20 years.

The “Sweet Home Alabama” bill is a constitutional amendment that would expand, tax and regulate gambling in seven counties. It is awaiting a vote in the House and Senate. If passed by the Legislature, it would need approval in a statewide referendum to take effect.

“I think it needs changes,“ Davis said in an interview.

Davis said he favors letting each county decide if gambling is acceptable rather than having it decided by the outcome of a statewide vote.

The bill would allow the dog tracks in Jefferson and Mobile counties to add electronic bingo. Davis said if gambling is going to be expanded, it should “be an open competitive process like all areas of commerce and business are,“ rather than being picked by officials in Montgomery.

Currently, there is no state tax on electronic gaming. The bill would levy a tax, depending on the location, that ranges from 10 percent to 20 percent of what’s left after all payouts to gamblers. After five years, everyone’s rate would go to 20 percent.

Davis said that is not high enough.

“If we are going to tax gaming, we ought to tax it at the rate other states do, instead of less,“ he said.

Davis said there is going to be gambling in Alabama, in part because of Creek Indian operations that aren’t regulated by the state. The Indians have operated gambling halls in Montgomery and Wetumpka for several years. In January, they opened the 17-story Wind Creek casino and resort in Atmore. It features 1,600 electronic bingo machines.

“The question is how do we create a level playing field and we make sure the state benefits from it?“ Davis said.

State Agriculture Commissioner Ron Sparks kicked off his Democratic campaign for governor on April 3. He told reporters that he favors the Legislature scheduling a statewide referendum on the “Sweet Home Alabama” legislation, but he expressed concern about the expansion of gambling.

Davis, a four-term congressman, announced his Democratic candidacy for governor in January. In the last two weeks the Democratic field has begun to take shape. Folsom announced April 1 that he would run for re-election as lieutenant governor rather than governor. Over the next two days, Bedford, D-Russellville, announced he’s considering the race, and Sparks announced he’s definitely a candidate. Both said they would not have challenged Folsom if he had run.

Davis said he had expected Folsom to run. “In politics, you always do well thinking your strongest possible opponent is going to run.“

But he said he had never shaped his campaign based on potential candidates.

“It doesn’t change our strategy and it doesn’t change the issues we are talking about,“ he said.

Davis said he will keep running as “someone who represents a departure from the status quo in Alabama politics,“ and he will keep talking about the same issues on the campaign trail, including strengthening the state ethics law.