Ingram: Siegelman to recycle lottery plan
MONTGOMERY — There should be no doubt in the minds of anyone that if Don Siegelman bites the bullet and decides to run for governor his No. 1 campaign issue will not be unlike his successful campaign for governor in 1998.
In that race his sole issue was a lottery, and it is now evident that if he runs again in 2006 it will be the same song, second verse. But beyond the lottery, Siegelman also wants to get the Poarch Band of the Creek Indian tribe to pay taxes on the millions of dollars it is now collecting at several so-called bingo locations in Alabama.
Certainly that would generate an untold amount of revenue for the state, but there is one catch — federal law prevents the state from imposing such taxes.
At a press conference in Wetumpka last week where the Indian tribe is now constructing a $300 million casino, including a hotel and parking decks, Siegelman insisted the state should get some of the action the gambling establishment will generate.
The chief financial officer for the tribe, Arthur Mothershed, said the tribe would be willing to work out a deal with the state “if” the state allowed them to operate table games such as black jack, craps and roulette, all of which are now prohibited in the state.
No doubt watching with interest but saying nothing on Siegelman’s proposal is Gov. Bob Riley. He has made it clear in the past that he is opposed to any expansion of gambling and has made it clear that Hades will freeze over before he would allow the Indians table games in exchange for
money for the state.
Battle of juniors
Last week I shared with you the results of a poll taken on a head-to-head confrontation for lieutenant governor between the two juniors: George C. Wallace and Jim Folsom. There is a strong possibility these two men may meet each other in the 2006 general elections.
The poll I shared with you indicated Wallace was running well ahead of Folsom — 49 percent to 35 percent. I must be honest, I was surprised by those numbers that came from a survey taken in June.
I am now privy to a more recent poll that shows substantially different results. This latest survey actually has the two men in what is statistically a dead heat: Folsom 40 percent, Wallace 39.5 percent.
Costly office party
There was a time when there was talk that State Sen. Jeff Emfinger of Huntsville might have his sights on high state office in the future. Like governor.
Emfinger had a lot going for him. A tall, imposing, well spoken man with an abundance of ambition. Also and a bundle of money. He is the grandson of the late J. D. Hayes, one-time president of Alabama Farm Bureau (now Alabama Farmers Federation).
Emfinger has made millions on his own, one of his most successful projects being Hampton Cove, a vast development of high priced homes that adjoins one of David Bronner’s golf courses near Owens Crossroads.
But a story that broke in the Huntsville Times last week could bring an end to Sen. Emfinger’s political career. I will not go into any details — you can read it for yourself on the internet website of the newspaper — but the story in the Times had all the ingredients of a X-rated movie: a man, two women, lots of strong drink and a very irate husband of one of the women who happened to walk in on what Emfinger called an “office party.”
Politics heat up
With the party primaries now less than 10 months away, the political tempo is beginning to pick up, to wit:
Tripp Skipper, an aide to U. S. Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Anniston, has announced he will run for the office of auditor being vacated by Beth Chapman, who the day before announced her intentions to run for secretary of state. Skipper has some interesting credentials to get into politics: his
degree is in theology, and he is a part-time pastor of First Baptist Church in Wadley.
Associate Justice Lynn Stuart of the State Supreme Court announced she will seek another term in 2006. Five seats on the high court — all now held by Republicans — are up for grabs. Incumbent Justice Tom Woodall has already announced his plans to run again; Justice Bernard Harwood is retiring. Chief Justice Drayton Nabors and Associate Justice Champ Lyons have not yet said
if they will run next year.
Arranging the meeting
I like well turned phrases, good quotes. And my choice for the best quote of the week came from Gen. Norman Schwarzkopf, who commanded Ameircan troops in Desert Storm.
In a recent interview he was asked if people should forgive those who masterminded the 9/11 attacks. His response:
“I believe that forgiving them is God’s function. Our job is to arrange the meeting.”
That is too good not to share.
