Kate:
As a journalist, you can follow the lead of the local press and write a piece that follows the DFL talking points, or you can take a new, fresh angle, which I'll suggest in a bit. But I'll first answer some of your boiler plate questions:
Pawlenty's budget depends on $200 million in the next 2 years from casino revenue. Is this feasible?
Yes, because that figure represents the $200 million up-front licensing fee that the tribes would have to pay. The tribes would get that money from the gaming company who would bid on the right to set up and operate the casinos, like Caesar's Palace from Las Vegas, for example.
Is it the proper function of government to be running or profiting from gambling?
No. No more than it's the role of the government to sell used cars. But this question was asked back in 1988 when the people voted in Minnesota to authorize the state to operate the state lottery, the proceeds from which go to fund wildlife and environmental funds. This was followed in 1989 by establishing on-site betting at Canterbury Downs. So the government has been running and profiting from gambling for 15 years, authorized by a vote of the people.
Are the social effects of gambling and casinos something to consider in this proposal? Why/why not?
I've always considered the state lottery as a tax on the mathematically challenged (or as some have said, a tax on the stupid). But while it's not the role of government to be running a gambling operation, the social affects of gambling were part of the debate in 1988 when the people voted overwhelmingly (58%) to allow the state to do so. Consequently, the people have decided to take the good with the bad. And it's hypocritical of those whose government agencies benefit from gambling revenue to be pretending like they wish it weren't so. These are the same people who worked to ban smoking, but would fight against eliminating the tax revenues from tobacco.
Now I have a suggestion. Why don't you write your story with a different angle than the ones we've already seen. For example:
Much has been written about why republicans in the legislature are for this proposal when in the past they've opposed state-run gambling on moral principle. The questions you could be asking are:
1) Why is the democrat party so opposed to the new gaming proposals when they voted overwhelmingly in 1988 and 1989 to approve state-run gambling?
2) How much money have the tribes who currently operate gaming facilities given to democrat politicians to block this proposal? (follow the money)
3) If the democrats are opposed to state-run gambling, would they vote to shutdown the state lottery?
4) Was it right for the then attorney general Skip Humphrey to "negotiate" a deal giving the tribes a monopoly on gambling in perpetuity, when no other state made such a short-sighted, one-sided deal? Shouldn't that be fixed?
5) Indian gaming revenue in this state is approximately $8 Billion a year. No one knows the exact figure because the tribes won't open their books. Given the fact that tribes are allowed to run gaming operations as a result of federal law which requires compacts with the states, shouldn't these tribes be required to at least show us their books?
Finally:
6) Given that abject poverty amongst the northern Chippewa tribes like White Earth and Red Lake, is it right that most of the Indian gaming revenue should be concentrated in the hands of the Mdewakanton (Prairie Island) Sioux and the Shakopee Mdwakanton Sioux (with each tribal member receiving over $1.1 million per year)?
7) Would the gang violence and drug use on White Earth or the shooting at Red Lake have happened if the gaming monopoly by these two wealthy tribes didn't exist?
8) Shouldn't the democrats work with the republicans to break this monopoly?
Dennis Tester Mac-Groveland (Sisseton-Wahpeton Sioux)
Cleverly Arranging 1's And 0's Since 11110110000
----- Original Message ----- From: "Bock, Mary K." <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <stpaul@mnforum.org>
Sent: Sunday, April 24, 2005 10:05 PM
Subject: [StPaul] casino proposal
I am a journalism student at the University of St. Thomas and I will be
doing a piece on the Gov. Pawlenty's casino expansion legislation.
I am interested to know what Minnesota residents think about the proposal.
I have posted a few questions below and would appreciate any feedback and/or
discussion.
Pawlenty's budget depends on $200 million in the next 2 years from casino revenue. Is this feasible? Is it the proper function of government to be running or profiting from gambling?
The democrats budget would rely on almost $900 in tax increases. Which budget proposal do you think Minnesota residents would prefer--this or Pawlenty's?
A 2-casino proposal for Canterbury Park in Shakopee was just passed by the Jobs and Economic Opportunity Committee. Will this pass the House and Senate during the current legislative session? Why or why not?
Pawlenty predicts positive economic effects to result from casino expansion,
however, nothing has been mentioned about the social effects of having
metro-area casinos. Are the social effects of gambling and casinos
something to consider in this proposal? Why/why not?
What would be the benefits/disadvantages of putting a casino in the Mall of
America?
Overall, what is your opinion about state-sponsored casinos and gambling expansion in Minnesota?
Thank you in advance, Kate Bock University of St. Thomas [EMAIL PROTECTED] <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
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