Alabama’s Spring Break locations – Yellowhammer Information
MONTGOMERY — Senate Majority Leader Clay Scofield (R-Guntersville) says expanding superior-velocity broadband obtain to all Alabamians carries on to be a top precedence for state officials.
On Tuesday, Scofield was a person of 13 Senate Republicans to vote towards SB 214, a detailed gambling legalization bill that would have noticed extra than $1 billion in revenue go toward broadband. The bill fell two votes short of the necessary threshold to move the higher chamber.
“Well, the legislature, and I really don’t imply to speak for the governor — but I imagine we all know she’s really supportive, as nicely — are going to keep on to prioritize broadband expansion in Alabama,” Scofield reassured reporters on Thursday afternoon pursuing the 14th day of the legislature’s 2021 typical session.
He reiterated that he voted versus SB 214 due to the fact he needed to see a lot more “moderation” in how the condition finally goes about increasing legalized forms of gambling.


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Past week, previewing his vote, Scofield suggested, “I’m opposed to the casino factor of it. Lottery — totally fine with. I consider Alabamians want to vote on a lottery. I do not assume we’re completely ready for casino gaming still in the point out of Alabama. … I think we want to choose child measures.”
At that time, he also lamented that his “no” vote would imply he could not aid the bill’s unparalleled broadband income stream.
“That’s tricky for me. That has definitely set me in a spot of possessing to wrestle with it,” Scofield admitted. “Because it could really mean a great deal for broadband expansion in the point out of Alabama.”
“But, I just just can’t,” he added. “It’s not the way I want to get it.”
Back to Thursday, Scofield suggested, “We just can’t look at it like that money’s not heading to be there [so just] enable that go. We’ve bought to continue to check out to get the assets, as substantially sources as we can get, to go on the momentum that we have started out with the enlargement of broadband.”
In 2018, Scofield-sponsored legislation designed the Alabama Broadband Accessibility Fund he sponsored a invoice the adhering to calendar year that improved this point out grant software, which demands personal matching resources.
Final year, and in the governor’s proposed budgets for fiscal 12 months 2022, the application was funded at $25 million. Scofield highlighted that the matching mother nature of the method drew down an more $44 million in personal sector financial commitment at that funding amount. He stated that he hopes for a yr-over-yr budgetary increase of about $5 million when all is stated and accomplished at the conclude of this session.
“The program is operating,” Scofield commented. “It’s owning an effect. We’re certainly in the black on that. We have bought to continue to do that.”
He subsequently stressed his assist for allowing the persons of Alabama to vote on a clean up lottery proposal.
“I think there is a mandate,” Scofield summarized.
He stated that in addition to himself, other Republicans who voted against SB 214 would “absolutely” consider supporting a lottery invoice. Scofield underscored there is a “pretty strong” opportunity a lottery invoice will hit the Senate flooring for an up-or-down vote this session.
Connected: Professional Tem Greg Reed: SB 215 however necessary, considerable to increasing broadband entry for Alabamians
Sean Ross is the editor of Yellowhammer News. You can abide by him on Twitter @sean_yhn
