LEGISLATIVE UPDATES
Nationwide Budget Deficits Prompt Racetrack Slot Machine Legislation in Five States

COLORADO
State Sen. Jack Taylor, R-Steamboat Springs, is reviving the push for video lottery terminals (VLTs) at the state's dog and horse tracks. Taylor's last attempt to legalize VLTs for the tracks was vetoed by Gov. Roy Romer in 1998.

Dan Hopkins, a spokesman for Colorado's current governor Dan Owens, said, "The governor has historically strongly opposed any expansion of limited gaming."

Source: Denver Post: Jason Blevins

FLORIDA
In response to voter approval of a constitutional amendment to limit school class sizes, Gov. Jeb Bush said he would not rule out allowing VLTs at pari-mutuel facilities to raise the tax revenues needed to implement the mandate. Estimates to cap class sizes range from $8 bill-ion to $27 billion. Bush, who has adamantly opposed any expansion of gambling, said it might be the least of three evils. "I am opposed to the expansion of gambling, but I'm also opposed to raising taxes . . . and cutting important social service programs," he said.

Jacksonville Republican Sen. Jim King, the new Senate president who was referred to in a Jan. 12 Miami Herald editorial as "a long-time hustler for the pari-mutuels," said he will urge senators to consider a bill to legalize VLTs.

The legislative session begins in March.

Sources: Tampa Tribune: Mike Salinero
Miami Herald: Carl Hiaasen
Associated Press: David Royse

KANSAS
In a Dec. 30 interview, Gov. Kathleen Sebelius said lawmakers should approve a measure that would put video slot machines at the state's racetracks. Sebelius, who took office Jan. 13, said she would like to see the gaming bill approved early in the 2003 legislative session. The bill, she said, should "provide a significant revenue stream to the state; require the united support of horse and dog breeder groups and those representing racetracks; and require public approval in a local-option election."

Source: Topeka Capital-Journal: John Hanna,
The Associated Press

MASSACHUSETTS
The expansion of legalized gambling would likely produce "significant" economic development and vast new revenues for the state, but slot machines and casinos would probably curb growth of the State Lottery, according to a long-awaited report released Dec. 26. The 118-page report, which was prepared by the 19-member gambling study commission appointed by Acting Gov. Jane Swift, takes a pro-gambling view but offers no specific recommendations.

Many Massachusetts lawmakers believe that if the state does expand gambling, the most likely scenario would involve the Legislature approving slot machines at the Wonderland and Raynham/Taunton dog tracks and the state's two horse tracks. Gambling experts believe Massachusetts is the key state that will determine the expansion of casino-style gaming throughout New England.

Gov. Mitt Romney, sworn into office Jan. 2, said he is open to any method of generating state revenues without raising taxes, including casinos, but will likely commission his own study before deciding to support an expansion of gambling.

Senate President Robert E. Travaglini, whose East Boston district is home to Wonderland, supports allowing slot machines at the racetracks.

Speaker of the House Thomas Finneran is considered to be the biggest obstacle to legalized casino gambling. Finneran is worried about the impact on the State Lottery if casinos are approved. "If you affect that in a negative fashion you've done a grievous disservice to the cities and towns," Finneran said. The lottery pumps $860 million into cities and towns every year.

Lawmakers reportedly have begun discussions with the state's two dog track owners to eliminate live greyhound racing in exchange for slot machines, a move that could deflect opposition from GREY2K USA. Carey Theil, the group's president, said, "We're open to any scenario that involves a prohibition on greyhound racing."

If the Legislature approves either slot machines for the racetracks or stand-alone casinos, federal law would allow the state's Indian tribes to operate casinos.

Sources: The Boston Globe: Rick Klein, Chris Tangney;
Boston Herald: Scott Van Voorhis, Cosmo Macero Jr., Elizabeth Beardsley

RHODE ISLAND
Rep. William San Bento Jr. has filed a House bill that would authorize the state Lottery Commission to regulate coin-drop slot machines. San Bento said the "clang of coins would bring a major and immediate financial windfall" to state government. Similar legislation has been introduced numerous times since 1995, but has never passed. San Bento's bill, H 5019, was referred to the House Finance Committee.

Source: Providence Journal: Mark Arsenault