Alabama lawmaker vows to filibuster every bill last day of legislative session

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WIAT) — Next Wednesday, lawmakers will convene for the 30th and final day of the legislative session.

Tensions are mounting between the House and the Senate, as both have different priorities.

“I’m gonna be like Moses on 40 days, 40 nights,” said Sen. Bobby Singleton (D-Greensboro). “And, that’s where we’ll be. If that’s what game they want to play, then I’m willing to play.”

Sen. Singleton said that game has to do with getting his local bill passed. It would allow for historical horse racing and pari-mutuel wagering at two locations in Greene County, something made legal by a constitutional amendment years ago in the legislature.

Singleton said he will filibuster the 50 remaining local bills from the House. That’s until they agree to vote on his own. “That bill has been sitting there. They won’t put it on the calendar,” said Singleton. “So, some of those same House members, who are willing to vote against my bill… so, why should I allow them to carry something home, when I can’t carry something home?”

On the other side, House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter said he wants to carry home bills related to law enforcement and immigration. That includes expanding civil and criminal immunity for police officers. Ledbetter said he’ll meet with Senate leadership to discuss their final docket.

“Before we come in the last day, sit down and go over what we think we can accomplish and what we can get done,” the speaker said. “You know, we’ve got three or four bills I think is major for us and they’ve probably got that many, so our goal is to try and finish those up.”

On finishing up Sen. Singleton’s gambling bill, Ledbetter said definitively it will not be on the docket. “Unfortunately, our rules and the rules in the Senate aren’t the same. And, anything that’s got to do with gaming in the House has got to be general, and go to the House floor. That’s just the way it is.”

Until then, Sen. Singleton said representatives can expect some of their bills to die in the Senate. “Mr. Speaker, hear me,” Singleton said into the camera. “I don’t want to do this. You understand what this bill is. You understand it. If y’all don’t want to do it, just be man enough to tell me. Because, that’s all they have to do.”

Sen. Pro Tempore Garlan Gudger (R-Cullman) said it will be a long final day. He doesn’t know what statewide bills will be on the docket, including the police immunity bill. “There’s probably going to be some talk about that,” he said. “We’re trying to figure out if that’s gonna be on there. Plus, we have some confirmations that we have to do. That’s our duty in the Senate, that, we’re gonna have to focus on too… we’re gonna get in at one o’clock, just so y’all know. And, we’ll probably be here ’till we get through with everything we’ve got.”

The House and Senate will convene at 1 p.m. next Wednesday for the last day of the session. Stay with us as we’ll cover lawmakers and their race to get bills across the finish line.