West Alabama senators filibuster

MONTGOMERY - Senators from west Alabama tag-teamed this week to slow down the legislative session over a gambling bill and a road project Gov. Bob Riley vetoed two years ago.

Sen. Phil Poole, D-Tuscaloosa, and Sen. Bobby Singleton, D-Greensboro, filibustered the Senate's two working days.

They brought the legislative process in the Senate to a standstill during the process.

Poole is still incensed that Riley vetoed $1 million in the 2008 General Fund budget that Poole had earmarked to the Tuscaloosa County Commission for repairs to Alabama 216 east of Tuscaloosa, a road Poole said has been fatally dangerous to motorists.

Poole also complained Thursday that the Senate passed a House bill sponsored by a Republican that increases penalties to truck drivers who allow rolls of steel to fall off trucks and damage highways.

Poole was absent the day the bill passed.

Singleton on Thursday took over Poole's two-day filibuster.

Singleton said he is concerned that a Class III Indian compact bill by Sen. Hank Sanders, D-Selma, wasn't sent to Singleton's Tourism and Marketing Committee as required by Senate rules.

The bill allows the Poarch Band of Creek Indians full-fledged gambling on Indian property and allows the state to receive revenue from it.

"If we have rules, it's important we follow the rules," Singleton said.

Lt. Gov. Jim Folsom on Tuesday told Singleton he mistakenly sent Sanders' bill to a different committee.

"I never said the lieutenant governor did anything intentional," Singleton told the Senate.

Singleton and Sanders are political opponents over bingo in Greene County.

Singleton supports the Greenetrack bingo hall, but Sanders is an attorney for a group that seeks a competing bingo license.

Singleton said his bill to codify Greene County bingo regulations is a local bill that is under the local courtesy rule and should not be influenced by legislators outside his district.

At least one Republican, Sen. Hank Erwin, R-Montevallo, said Singleton's bill is a statewide bill and not subject to the unofficial Senate courtesy rule.

On Thursday, with only nine legislative days remaining, Sanders' bill was sent to the Tourism and Marketing Committee.

Dana Beyerle can be reached at (334) 264-6605 or dtb12345@aol.com.