The status of an override attempt on a bill vetoed by Governor Asa Hutchinson involving gaming machines and the state Alcoholic Beverage Control enforcement agency is a fluid one. State Senator Scott Flippo sponsor of Senate Bill 496 is still weighing the options after a meeting with ABC agents in Mountain Home last week.
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In last week’s meeting, ABC officials met with representatives of several local fraternal orgaizations. At issue is action by a department agent that led to the removal of gaming machines from the fraternal organizations in Baxter and Marion counties. The machines were used exclusively for charitable purposes.
At the conclusion of the meeting, Boyce Hamlet, Director of ABC Enforcement, pledged to personally return to Mountain Home and Bull Shoals to clear machines that are legal for operation in these settings.
Senator Flippo says the visit was a step in the right direction.
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Senator Flippo says the issue has never been about a disagreement with the Governor. Instead it’s about a wrong done to those he represents.
He says if he can get the issue addressed, clarified and can be ensured it won’t happen again, he will certainly want to take that into consideration before he moves foward to attempt the veto override.
Governor Hutchinson vetoed the bill citing infringement on the executive branch’s power to enforce the law.
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