Santa Claus Ain't Coming.
Monday, November 17, 2008 at 06:24PM
Santa Claus aint coming this year. The economy is bad in New Hampshire. This is a reality. Notice the people that are opposed to casino gaming have not provided any statistical analysis of why increased gaming would not work in New Hampshire. This legislation could work. It will help tourism, jobs and build the economy. It is that simple. If there are concerns about what will happen if this legislation passes then fine. Study the issue(s). But do it from an objective sense. New Hampshire isn't CT. New Hampshire isn't RI. And believe it or not NH isn't Massachusetts. But before this can happen the Legislature and Governor Lynch need to do more with respect to the very idea of this legislation. They need to investigate other states and their experiences with increased gaming and find these results, real results not emotions or crime statistics but statistics that lead to tax base expansion and jobs. It can be done. Its been done in Biloxi, Mississippi. Its being done in Iowa and Kansas and very well could be done in Kentucky. States with similar demographics to New Hampshire. Please contact your State Senator and State Representative. Source: Concord Monitor Newspaper New Hampshire's weakening economy is bad for business and hard on state government. But it may be good for the gambling industry, where hopes are high that a desperate need for new revenue this year will inspire legislators to allow slot machines at the state's racetracks and beyond. In the meantime, both pro- and anti-gambling forces are girding for a tough fight at the State House. "This is going to be our hardest fight ever," said Jim Rubens, a former state senator who chairs the Granite State Coalition Against Expanded Gambling. The pro-gambling case has made inroads in the House and Senate over the past year. Last spring, a slot machine bill narrowly failed in the Senate; this fall, the House Ways and Means Committee voted 9-8 to recommend a bill to expand gambling. That's a tremendous change, said Jim Demers, a lobbyist who represents Millennium Gaming, the Las Vegas-based company that wants to install slot machines at Salem's Rockingham Park, a horse and dog racetrack. "I think the actions of the House Ways and Means Committee, which is not considered an extremely pro-gambling committee, speaks volumes to the concerns legislators have as to how to deal with the budgetary process," Demers said. "It's the state's call, but in these very challenging times, there's going to be cuts," said Rich Killion, a lobbyist for the Rock. "But there's only so far you can go before you start impacting our quality of life." Always hard, New Hampshire's budget process this year may be the most difficult in a generation. This year's budget, which ends in June, is now projected to fall short $250 million. Think-tanks have calculated that the next two-year budget could have a starting-point shortfall - assuming current services are maintained and commitments like contractual wage increases are honored - of a half-billion dollars. Both fans and foes of casino operators say the budget climate may make the political climate ripe for expanded gambling. Plans generally involve permitting high-tech slot machines, or "video lottery terminals" at the state's four horse or greyhound racing tracks, turning them into so-called "racinos," plus potentially allowing one or more of the North Country's grand hotels a permit for slots. Gambling proponents say the state could reap $150 million a year or more from slots, some of which, they argue, is money residents are already spending in one of the other states that do allow casino-style gambling, including Maine and Connecticut. Opponents question those estimates, saying that the cost of affiliated social problems like addiction and crime would wipe out much or all of the state's take. Pro-gambling legislators say slots are the only viable way for the state to bring in big money. Other major potential revenue streams - either an income or sales tax - are widely seen as doomed because Gov. John Lynch has always said he would veto either. Over the past four years, Lynch, a Democrat, has had a consistent, if oblique, stance on gambling: He's always said that before he can support it, he'll need evidence that it won't harm New Hampshire's quality of life. Pro-gambling forces see that as an open door. Lynch spokesman Colin Manning said last week that the governor will need to hear more about gambling's impact on the economy, jobs, and social concerns. "Those are questions that still need to be answered if and when a plan is brought forward," Manning said. Longtime gambling proponent Sen. Lou D'Allesandro of Manchester worked for most of last year to rally support in the Senate, and he wound up two votes shy of a majority. "We had 11 votes in the Senate last year, and we thought we had the 12th," he said. "I think the situation now is graver, and that may give us what we need." Even if Lynch and the Senate get behind expanded gambling, the fight is far from over. There's long been a wide anti-gambling feeling in the 400-member, difficult-to-lobby House from both political parties. "The House has never even come close to supporting gambling," said House Speaker Terie Norelli, who has said she personally opposed gambling in the past because she believed "that the kind of money that we would get would not be worth the change in our quality of life." However, Norelli said, she had heard some folks who've long opposed gambling wondering aloud whether they could be convinced this year. "When times get tough, and they are certainly tough, we tend to reconsider some things that we had dismissed before," she said. In the Senate
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Reader Comments (7)
This is a speech I gave in Rep's Hall on Jan. 18, 2006 opposing the committee report to ITL "kill" HB 685. My position hasn't change but the cost to purchase instant scratch tickets has increased from $1 to $20 a ticket to $1 to $30 a ticket. The motion to ITL HB685 passed the House 250 yea to 99 nay. Maybe this year the outcome will be different.
Speech for HB685
AN ACT permitting casino gambling in the NH White Mountains
Fellow legislators, I am here in opposition of the ED&A committee majority report to ITL HB685. I have listened to debate regarding the negative impact of expanded gambling and have come to the conclusion that the only way to address the desires of those in favor of gambling as well as the concerns of those opposed would be to permit formalized gambling in NH to one centralized location, namely the NH White Mountains.
Doing so would take the temptation of gambling out of the cities and towns where, right now, people of all economic persuasions, can currently walk into any one of the over 1,200 lottery outlets located throughout the State of NH and choose to spend, without limit or restrictions, as much of their money as they please on the offerings of the NH State Lottery, which include:
1. NH Powerball, drawn twice a week
2. NH Hot Lotto, drawn twice a week
3. Tri-State Megabucks, drawn twice a week
4. Tri-State Pick 3/Pick 4 daily numbers game, drawn twice a day, seven days a week
5. Triple Play, drawn twice a week and a
6. Plethora of scratch tickets (52 offerings @ a cost of $245 should you buy them all) ranging in price of $1 to $20 each (The $20 amount which was raised by the House on 5/11/05 by a vote of 196 to 154, from
$10 to $20 with the passage of SB20).
Again, all without limit or restrictions as to how many one can buy; so if one wants to spend an entire paycheck locally on state sanctioned games of chance, the law already allows one to do that.
Today, as far as I’m concerned, NH already has state sanctioned gambling in the guise of the over 1,200 gambling outlets located throughout the State of NH.
If one truly feels that more formalized gambling is bad for a community, then why not restrict all gambling from people’s backyards and place it in a centralized area, away from the daily temptation of your neighborhood store.
To do so, though, would entail outlawing the following:
1. All of the “entertainment only” video poker machines (allowing use only at the casino),
2. the sale of the very addictive Pick 3/Pick 4 daily numbers game drawn twice a day and sold at
the over 1,200 lottery outlets found throughout the state of NH.
Also consider that passage of HB685 could address the currently unregulated Texas Hold’em games that now proliferate throughout the State of NH.
So fellow legislators, won’t you join me and press the red button so we may come back with a better option allowing us to control and centralize formalized gambling in one spot and regulate all the gambling activities currently operating within our neighborhoods so those with problems who want to spend their hard-earned cash on gambling, where the easy availability to gambling exists, will have to, with the passage of HB685, travel to do so. Thank you and please, press the red button.
I may not have supplied the exact statitical proof you require to oppose gambling, I probably can never do that to your satifaction. But if you want data on any of the issues listed below just click on The Granite State Coalition Against Expanded Gambling. I am a member. They are linked to our CNHT site.
Cause big, out-year state budget gaps.
Destroy families and damage our enviable quality-of-life.
Aggravate state budget pressures.
Become a loser for the state economy.
Drain revenue from existing businesses.
Damage our vital tourism industry.
Increase serious crimes by 8-10 percent.
Create gambling addicts to tax them.
Injure Children.
Create a new, regressive tax burden.
Corrupt state politics.
Open the tribal casino loophole.
Industry psychologists design slots to addict gamblers.
Delaware race-track casinos are no role model.
Congressionally-sanctioned commission urges expansion moratorium.
Independent poll: 56% of NH voters oppose slots.
Every daily New Hampshire newspaper opposes casinos.
Another personal point to note:
A good friend I worked with for 20 years laid down next to his car about a mile from my house this May and ended his life with a shotgun because of gambling debt. He was a regular at Foxwoods.
Our NH dollar lottery tickets morphed into a choice of $20.00 tickets. I watch people who can little afford it spend a ton of moeny on those things. It will get worse as the econmy dips.
Sad way to raise revenue we don't need.
Thanks for doing this Rep. Manney. New Hampshire could get this one right. I think it now just a matter of bringing the facts forward.
I'm going to question Mr. Naile below on why he can't seem to get with the program.
How can you oppose something when you really don't know much about it.
You should. And while your at it yous should take some time to consider the facts associated with casino gaming. Please take some time and visit places like Atlantic City, N.J. Turning Stone in Verona, NY. Bangor Raceway in Bangor, Maine and Niagara Falls. Also, to your comment about the coalition against expanded casino gambling. Is this a real coalition or just former Sen. Jim Rubens.
"Cause big, out-year state budget gaps."
How exactly might it do this? More revenue? If the legislature is over-spending the next election is never more than two years away.
"Destroy families and damage our enviable
quality-of-life."
Thank you Lew Feldman. Another individual who hasn't provided a shred of evidence in support of his position(s).
"Aggravate state budget pressures."
Where is the evidence of this?
"Become a loser for the state economy."
How through expanded tourism and needed re-development in northern New Hampshire?
"Drain revenue from existing businesses."
Evidence please.
"Damage our vital tourism industry."
Go to Niagara Falls. Go to Montreal. Go to Atlantic City, NJ during the airshow or the numerous venues including Robin Williams and Madonna. Consider property and real estate values in Atlantic City vs. Hampton Beach, NH.
"Increase serious crimes by 8-10 percent."
Crime would increase. No arguement there. New Hampshire would have to enact tough legislation for offenses if this casino gaming legislation is to work to build the granite state. I'd send the message: be a tourist here, play by our rules or you will pay.
"Create gambling addicts to tax them."
Death and taxes. In the meantime there is life.
"Injure Children."
I'm a former Chess player. Got sick of the game. Discovered Texas Holdem. Use the same analytical, academic skills to be very successful at poker. I learned Chess in elementary school. I think Texas Holdem should be taught to any child that wants to learn. Its a game that requires skill, analysis, math and some luck! I'd rather see children playing poker than playing video games like Grand Theft Auto II which is about drugs, more drugs and killing police officers.
"Create a new, regressive tax burden."
How. In New Hampshire? Property taxes to pay for schools is regressive. Lets have a discussion about regressive taxation.
"Corrupt state politics."
How? There might be some money available to fund candidates that are outside of the Concord beltway. Imagine that.
"Open the tribal casino loophole."
Recognizing the Abanaki indians would be a bad thing? Have you been to the Seneca Niagara casino? Well run. Very nice.
"Industry psychologists design slots to addict gamblers."
Capitalism is a great thing. Good product identity too.
"Delaware race-track casinos are no role model."
Have you been to Delaware. I have nice tracks. Horse Racing is another great sport. Horses are awesome creatures. Some are meant to run and this is incredible.
"Congressionally-sanctioned commission urges expansion moratorium."
And who are the members of the commission?
"Independent poll: 56% of NH voters oppose slots."
5% margin of error right. UNH survey center. Alot of real credibility here.
"Every daily New Hampshire newspaper opposes casinos."
The power of the mass media. What is the basis for this?
Another personal point to note:
"A good friend I worked with for 20 years laid down next to his car about a mile from my house this May and ended his life with a shotgun because of gambling debt. He was a regular at Foxwoods."
So, he came to you and said that he lost all his money at Foxwoods? What did he lose it on? Slot Machines?
"Our NH dollar lottery tickets morphed into a choice of $20.00 tickets. I watch people who can little afford it spend a ton of moeny on those things. It will get worse as the econmy dips."
Its going to get worse too. Imagine a New Hampshire with a sales or income tax? Property taxes will continue to increase.
"Sad way to raise revenue we don't need."
We do need the revenue.
Used to live near Atlanic City and could walk the streets and boardwalk with my brothers and sisters and ride Jitneys. Gambling came to the city as well as the Philadelphia Mob It took a short time for them to take hold. I have a friend who retired as a Federal Parole Officer there, so I get info about it.
Almost thirty years of gambling has not made the city better. It is dangerous, corrupt and bankrupt.
Jim Rubens coalition is rather broad based. You should check it out.
I was in Chippewa Falls a few years back and met the new, 40'something mayor at a party after a lumberjack show we put on there. He was pumped about the gambling revenue and we talked about all the city improvements, painting murals on alley walls, etc. The next year I went back he was in a deficit because the gaming reveue came in short. But the pawn shops were still there.
You ever notice all the pawn shops - and bail bondsmen in gambling towns? Ye Old Yankee Pawn Shop, Fall Foliage Pawn shop Tours sounds great.
Our spend crazy, 17.5% increase in general fund spending, Democrats were just re-elected. How does that fit your next election theory?
Wait, I'm wasting my time. You never proved gambling was good for NH or would not be a rollercoaster reveune source like an income or sales tax.
Never mind.
I must admit, I agree with Mr. Naile on this issue. In my opinion, the lure of building a casino in our state is identical to the lure of the gambler to the casino...the ever elusive big payoff. Remember, the house ALWAYS wins. New Hampshire has so much to natural beauty to offer. No disrespect to CT, NV, and NJ, but they don't hold a candle to our natural resources. Let's not cheapen our state with the temptation of a "quick buck."
Granite State Coalition Against Expanded Gambling, Jim Rubens
web site: http://www.noslots.com/Contact.htm
then tell your story.
Putting in 4,000 slot machines is NOT the answer, unless of course, you are asking the question...
Q: How can you quickly ruin great NH communities and financially devastate thousands of residents within a two-hundred mile radius?
Perhaps you all who are under the impression that slots in NH will be a magic bullet of prosperity don't have family, friends or neighbors that you care much about. Because if you did, and you truly understood the adverse ramifications of bringing a slot parlor to your hometown, you would want to keep them as far away as possible!
Yes, NH needs revenue, but slots are not the answer! How about our legislature starts thinking a little harder on a solution rather than gambling with the lives of our neighbors!