Alabama is one step closer to reaching a decision on a potential state lottery.

The Alabama legislature is considering two lottery proposals in a special session to solve the state’s Medicaid funding shortfalls in a special session. On Aug. 15, legislators were given two plans proposed by Governor Robert Bentley and Senator Jim McClendon. 

Bentley’s proposal would institute a state-sponsored lottery with the revenue flowing into the General Fund, rather than the Education Budget, to fund Medicaid, prisons and other agencies. 

McClendon’s bill would also create a lottery, but it would allow for the installation of electronic lottery terminals at dog tracks in Birmingham, Mobile, Macon and Greene County. The senator’s bill also authorizes the governor to negotiate compacts with the Poarch Band of Creek Indians.

While McClendon took the initiative to come up with his own plan, he said he would be satisfied if his colleagues opted to go with the governor’s idea instead. 

“I wanted to get this lottery issue before the people. I want to do something about the sick kids getting medical care,” McClendon said. 

Neither bill would go into immediate effect, instead would becoming a proposed state constitutional amendment to be approved by the voting public. Such an amendment would appear on the Nov. 8 general election ballot only if the legislature passes a bill authorizing a vote by Aug. 24. 

Alabama is one of six states in the country that does not have a lottery for government revenue. In 1999, former Democratic Governor Don Siegelman proposed a lottery that would provide revenue to the Education Trust Fund. Voters did not approve the constitutional amendment, with 54 percent opposed and 46 percent in favor.