Federal COVID-19 funding will run out at the end of the year in Alabama.

Lawmakers said the failure to bring gambling before voters might come with a price tag.

“As my grandmother always said, the only thing more dangerous than ignorance is arrogance,” said state Rep. Andy Whitt (R-Harvest) about the Senate’s failure to pass the gambling bill.

The money from gambling, including a lottery, would have been used for state infrastructure, mental health and scholarships for education. Whitt said money will be needed to replace federal funds that will soon be going away.

“The lottery was earmarked for education, and that was about $[300 million] to $400 million,” Whitt said. “Again, we’re going to have to look for other places to try and replace.”