Alabama Senate approves Bentley's lottery bill

The Alabama Senate on Friday passed a lottery bill proposed by Gov. Robert Bentley, capping off the first week of a special session called by the governor. The bill, which was amended substantially before the vote, will now go on to the House of Representatives.

Passed by a voting margin of 21-12, the bill sends a proposed constitutional amendment establishing a state lottery before voters for their approval in November.

The initial bill would have seen all lottery revenue go to the general fund. But amendments to the bill approved by the Senate on Friday diverted millions of dollars in anticipated revenue to the Education Trust Fund and Medicaid.

The bill's passage caps off a contentious period of debate over how best to shore up the state's general fund.

Read more: http://www.al.com/news/birmingham/index.ssf/2016/08/state_senate_bentleys_lottery.html