Editorial: Gambling issue should take backseat to education

By: Editorial | Opelika Auburn News
Published: March 09, 2010

What’s really more important to the residents of Alabama … electronic bingo, ethics reform in state government or education?

The electronic bingo controversy has grabbed headlines since late January. Ethics in Alabama government has been lacking since man learned how to make fire. And Alabama consistently ranks near the bottom nationally in a number of educational-related rankings.

Democratic gubernatorial hopeful Ron Sparks, currently the State Agriculture Commissioner, said he would call a special legislative session the day after his January inauguration to try to devise a state lottery and determine the best method to “tax and expand gambling.”

If that’s the case, then the existing electronic gaming facilities need to broaden their gambling menu and throw in a few craps tables, real slot machines and roulette wheels. Why stop with bingo?

But seriously, it’s disappointing that a governor’s first act would be to call a special session about gambling. Republican gubernatorial hopeful Bradley Byrne said his first act as governor would be to hold a special legislative session, the day after his inauguration no doubt, to devise new plans for ethics reform in state government.

Let’s weigh the options … gambling in one hand, ethics reform in government in the other. Sure, ethics reform sounds like the prudent choice. But our choice is none of the above.

Both are issues that must be dealt with because we all know neither is going away any time soon. But the issue that affects the most lives on a daily basis in this state is education. How do we improve it? Better yet – how do we pay for it? This is the most pressing issue and it figures to have ripple effects in the future if it is not solved immediately. We simply must find a way to come up with more education dollars and the best way to do that is prioritize where our dollars are spent.

Maybe regulated gambling can improve the state’s tax revenue and flood schools with newfound dollars. That is a topic worthy of discussion. But if education is not priority one on the agenda, it will not get the necessary attention to solve the problems it faces.