DOTHAN, Ala. -- Gov. Robert Bentley on Monday said gambling is not the solution to the state's budget woes and will not provide enough money to prevent deep cuts to law enforcement and other state agencies.
Bentley told The Associated Press that draft lottery and casino legislation proposed by Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh would bring Las Vegas-style gambling to the state of Alabama.
The governor said he met with Marsh late last week to discuss a plan that would create a state lottery and casinos at four state dog tracks. He said lawyers for the administration are reviewing the proposal.
"I've never taken any gambling money from anyone, so I can speak on this with, I would say, a pure heart because I've never been influenced by gambling and gambling money," Bentley said. "But gambling is not going to solve this problem, because we're not going to be able to get the money by Oct. 1, and we have to have it by then."
The Poarch Band of Creek Indians has expressed interest in talking with the state about a compact to create a revenue agreement in exchange for expanded or exclusive gaming rights.
Bentley acknowledged that lawyers for the administration have met with attorneys for the tribe. However, he said his focus is on a larger plan to raise $541 million in new revenue.
The governor's eight-bill tax package has been slow to receive support from the Alabama Legislature, but Bentley said he is open to any alternate proposals he receives before the 2016 fiscal year begins in October.
"Let me say this: My plan is to raise $541 million by Oct. 1," he said.
Bentley's remarks came after speaking at the Houston County trooper post, where he announced Alabama would lose 130 law enforcement officers if legislators fail to make up the budget shortfall. The governor said the post is one of 13 that would close under the budget cuts.
"We need to protect our law enforcement officers to keep them working not only here in Dothan but also everywhere in Alabama," Bentley said.
Officials say Alabama is already short on troopers. A study by the University of Alabama said the state's trooper total is already less than half of what's needed to properly cover each county.
Alabama Law Enforcement Agency Secretary Spencer Collier said his agency would not be able to properly function if its 2016 budget was cut by $16 million.
"What the legislation has proposed would make something bad, worse," Collier said.
Lawmakers last month blocked a bill that would have reversed a recent increase in drivers' license fees and cut an additional $12.7 million in annual agency revenue.
Collier said law enforcement divisions have already saved millions through consolidation, but he said the legislature can't expect ALEA to achieve a "miracle" in four months.
"They're asking us to do the impossible with the impossible," he said.
House Ways and Means General Fund Committee Chairman Steve Clouse, R-Ozark, said he believes many legislators are open to the idea of some sort of legalized gambling as a revenue source.
"I think people realize we have to go in that direction somehow," Clouse said.
However, Clouse said gambling revenue likely wouldn't be available to bail out this year's budget. Voters would have to approve a change to the Alabama Constitution to allow gambling.
"It would be difficult for it to affect this year's budget. It would probably take almost a year to set up," Clouse said.
Marsh has scheduled a Tuesday news conference to discuss the legislation.