By Alabama Public Radio
Montgomery, AL – State Finance Director Drayton Nabers says the "Bingo for Books" legislation is a poor deal. In fact, he calls it atrocious. Speaking Wednesday on behalf of Governor Bob Riley, Nabers said the governor opposes it because he doesn't believe taxing bingo machines is the way to fund public education. He says the legislation taxes bingo at dog tracks at lower rates than most other states charge. Nabers says track operators could keep as much as 300 million dollars every year under the proposal. The state Senate approved the "Bingo for Books" bill last week. A House committee could tackle the issue next week.