Alabama's House Tourism and Travel Committee on Wednesday approved by voice vote a proposed constitutional amendment that would allow electronic bingo machines at greyhound dog tracks in Birmingham and Mobile.
The plan would deliver taxes raised by the machines to the struggling Alabama Medicaid Agency. The amendment's sponsors say Medicaid would received around $55 million from taxes on the machines, but could take as much as $170 million if the federal government matches funds. Medicaid officials say they need $150 more next year than they are receiving this year.