Democratic candidates for governor speak at Dothan forum

Alabama’s two Democratic gubernatorial candidates say they favor taxing and regulating gambling in Alabama if approved by the state’s voters.

U.S. Rep. Artur Davis, D-Birmingham, and State Commissioner of Agriculture Ron Sparks spoke Monday at a Democratic gubernatorial candidate forum sponsored by the Dothan Area Chamber of Commerce. Both candidates said since gambling already exists in Alabama, the debate should move past pro or con.

“Folks, gambling is here and it will be here when I’m gone,” Sparks said. “If elected, I’ll work to regulate it, control it, tax it and give the people an opportunity to vote.”

Davis concurred.

“Indians will always have their casinos (here). So the question is should we have a level playing field?” Davis said. “I think we should. Let’s tax you at rate other states tax their gambling establishments. Regulate it and let the people make the decision. Let counties decide if they want to participate.”

The Country Crossing complex currently being built in Houston County will have an electronic bingo gaming center. Other electronic bingo centers currently exist in Alabama and still others are planned. Alabama Gov. Bob Riley has stated he believes electronic bingo is synonymous with slot machines and thus illegal in Alabama. The Alabama Supreme Court is currently slated to hear a St. Clair County case that could clarify the issue.

As part of Monday’s forum, candidates were allowed to make opening and closing statements, and were given one minute to respond to a variety of questions, ranging from constitutional reform to the state’s ailing prepaid college tuition program to economic development. Chamber officials said they hope to hold a similar forum for Republican candidates this fall.

Both candidates also said politics has kept the Wiregrass from getting its fair share of economic expansion and transportation dollars.

Davis said that during campaigns “Either we know we’re going to win Houston County or we know we’re going to lose it and don’t worry about it.”

“Transportation dollars do not make their way to the Wiregrass because of pure politics,” Davis added.

Sparks agreed.

“When you look around Alabama, this administration has not been real fair to the Wiregrass. I will be fair. This is not my first trip to Dothan,” Sparks said.

Todd Stacy, spokesperson for Gov. Bob Riley, said the statements were typical political rhetoric.

“It’s going to be a long campaign and candidates would be wise to restrain their rhetoric to within the realm of reality,” Stacy said.

Below is a sample of their answers to other questions:

On State Constitutional Reform ...

Davis: Supports a constitutional convention to reform the Alabama Constitution with delegates to the convention elected by 2012.

“We need a document for who we are today and not who we were in 1901,” Davis said.

Sparks: Urges caution. He says constitutional reform should be handled in smaller chunks.

“When you understand how Montgomery works, you have to be careful about opening up the whole constitution to Montgomery, Alabama,” Sparks said.

On Alabama’s Prepaid Affordable College Tuition Program ...

Sparks: Supports the State of Alabama fully funding the program, guaranteeing tuition to all who have bought into the program.

Davis: Supports fully funding all students who have bought into the program and are currently enrolled in college. For all others who have bought in, he said the state should “search the tax code” or “find some other way to make them whole.”

On economic development ...

Davis: Said Alabama needs to “diversify our work base.” He supports incentive packages to lure “high paying, high tech” jobs.

Sparks: Said Alabama’s infrastructure must be rebuilt first. He said incentive packages should be considered for Alabama’s current businesses and industries.