Alabama kicks out DraftKings, FanDuel
Just as Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam signs legislation allowing fantasy sports giants DraftKings and FanDuel to operate in Tennessee, Alabama is going in the opposite direction and kicking them out.
Alabama’s attorney general told The Associated Press on Friday the online fantasy sports betting sites have each entered into a settlement to cease operations in the state in a few days.
Attorney General Luther Strange said DraftKings and FanDuel will cease operations effective May 2 and have agreed to block access from Alabama IP addresses to their contest websites.
Strange also said both companies must process user requests from the state-based IP addresses to withdraw their account balances within seven business days of receiving such request.
He said Alabama and 11 other states have declared paid daily fantasy sports contests illegal.
Meanwhile, with two days left in the 2016 session, a number of high-profile bills have fallen on the chopping block.
– Abortion: A proposed constitutional amendment that would have effectively banned abortion died in the House following a Democratic filibuster. The “personhood” amendment sought to let Alabamians vote on whether to legally define a fetus as a person from the moment of fertilization, which could render some forms of birth control and in-vitro fertilization illegal.
– Ban the box: A bill to remove criminal history questions on job applications died in the Senate. Proponents said requiring former inmates to lay out their criminal history before meeting an employer is unfair and detrimental to rehabilitation.
– Gambling: A variety of lottery and gambling legislation failed to gain traction. A bill to allow Alabama to join multistate lottery games like Powerball died in committee. The Senate Tourism and Marketing committee last week reluctantly passed a constitutional amendment to establish a state lottery, but Senate rules make it difficult to pass controversial bills in the final days of the session. The bills stalled under a mix of opposition to gambling, disagreements on how state lottery revenue should be used and a push to include casino gambling.
– Gasoline tax: A proposal to raise the state’s gasoline tax 6 cents per gallong to pay for road and bridge construction failed to make it out of the House.
– Hate crimes: A bid to extend the state’s hate crime statute to include sexual orientation or gender identity died in the House. The current law mandates harsher sentences for crimes motivated by race, color, religion, national origin, ethnicity or disability.
– Historic tax credits: A state tax break that provided $20 million in tax credits for historic building renovations will expire next month after a bill to extend the credits for seven years failed to make it to committee.
– PREP Act: The Senate pro tempore shelved his PREP Act after several state education associations staunchly opposed tying student test scores to teacher evaluations. The bill also sought to extend tenure at five years rather than three, and provide incentives to teachers working in poor areas.
Smith seeks debate with Fleischmann
One of the Republican candidates for Tennessee’s 3rd Congressional District is challenging incumbent Chuck Fleischmann to debate.
Geoffery Suhmer Smith, of Athens, Tenn., released the text of his letter to Fleischmann on Saturday.
“While I have been contacted by several people who desire this forum, no dates or locations have been finalized. In the public’s interest and with a desire to allow voters to assess the Republican candidates, I’d be more than willing for us to begin the organization of a debate on our own. Any proceeds that might be raised could go to a deserving charity, and news organizations could cover the event as well,” Smith wrote.
The Aug. 4 Republican primary is a three-way race between Fleischmann, seeking his fourth term, Smith, a first-time candidate for Congress, and Allan Levene, a Georgia resident who is also challenging U.S. Rep. Tom Graves in that state.
Three Democrats also are in the running: Michael Friedman, George Ryan Love and Melody Shekari.
The winners of their respective primaries will face off against each other and three independents: Topher Kersting, Cassandra Mitchell and Rick Tyler.
Democrats to install officers
The Greater Chattanooga Democratic Women’s Club will install officers for the 2016-2017 year at their May 10 meeting, according to a news release.
The meeting is set for 6 p.m. at IBEW, 3922 Volunteer Drive. Pat Combs, vice president of the Tennessee Federation of Democratic Women East Tennessee, will be the installing officer.
Officers to be installed are: President Jeanie Stearns; first vice president-programs, Renda Washington; second vice president-membership, Sherry Bonnington; corresponding secretary, Jane Elmore, and treasurer, Sylvia Phillips.
Refreshments will be served and everyone is welcome to attend. For more information, contact Brenda Nunn at 423-364-3532.