from my friend ms. berlin:
U.S. states losing bets on casinos, other gambling01.15.09, 05:09 PM EST By Karen Pierog and Jim Christie CHICAGO/SAN FRANCISCO, Jan 15 (Reuters) - A number of U.S. states this decade bet the house on winning a share of legalized gambling's swelling jackpot. Industry revenues reached $91 billion in 2006, the latest year for which data is available from the American Gaming Association, thanks to a spree of casino openings beyond Nevada and New Jersey, states that long ago opted to sanction casinos. But with the U.S. economy in a year-long recession and consumers hoarding cash should hard times continue, casinos may no longer prove cash cows for state coffers -- as Kansas can attest. Kansas enacted a law for the first state-owned casinos in the U.S. in April, 2007, betting that $200 million could be raised annually for debt reduction, capital improvements and property tax relief. Now nearly two years later, private casino developers such as Penn National Gaming, LLC, and International Speedway Corp have dropped their plans for three out of the four casino sites, citing ailing economic conditions world wide. The Kansas Lottery, which is overseeing the state's foray into gambling, has reopened the bidding process but Keith Kocher, the state's gaming facilities director, doubts Kansas will meet the $200 million estimate. 'We feel certain we'll have bidders but probably for more scaled-down projects than before,' he said. With the U.S. economy in recession, consumers are reining in spending, including dollars many would have feverishly gambled in better times. States that had bet on the casino boom earlier this decade helping fill their coffers may be in store for a losing streak. 'This is not a long-term budget balancer,' said Robert Ward, deputy director of the Rockefeller Institute, which studies state and local government. 'There is a danger that the big growth period (for casinos) may be coming to an end.' ILLINOIS CASINO BIDS MISS TARGET In Illinois, officials had planned on pulling in $575 million from the sale of the state's long-dormant 10th casino license to help balance its fiscal 2009 budget, which is at least $2 billion in the red. But none of the three bidder finalists offered that much and the Illinois Gaming Board last month tapped the lowest bidder, Midwest Gaming & Entertainment LLC. It bid $125 million for a casino in the Chicago suburb of Des Plaines, along with a pledge of $10 million annually over 30 years. None of that money is expected to flow to the state in time to help the current budget, according to a legislative financial commission. Meanwhile, state tax revenue from the nine existing casinos dropped 32 percent to $46 million in December compared to $67.6 million in December 2007. California is likewise collecting weaker-than-expected revenue from the state's Indian casinos. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger early in his administration touted tribal casinos as an important source of new revenue for the state government. Today, however, tribal leaders fear hard times are in store for their casinos. One tribe recently wrote to Schwarzenegger to inform him it would halt an expansion of its gambling operations, which had held the promise of additional revenue for the state. 'Tribal casinos and other casinos nationwide are experiencing a lot of issues with relation to the pullback in consumer spending,' said Jason Dickerson, gambling policy analyst at the California Legislative Analyst's Office. 'There seems to be a broad consumer pullback on gambling,' Dickerson said. 'There was among some a view that casino gambling was this endless source of revenue that would never stop growing. But what we've seen in this recession is that that's just not true.' The recession has also deflated expectations in Ohio, where the state introduced Keno in August to raise money for primary and secondary schools. So far the wagering game has generated $45.6 million in sales, raising about $11.4 million for education. That is below projections it would achieve $292 million in sales its first full year with $73 million earmarked for schools. 'Those initial projections are high considering what the economy is at this point,' said Marie Kilbane, a spokeswoman for the Ohio Lottery. (Reporting by Karen Pierog in Chicago and Jim Christie in San Francisco, Editing by Chizu Nomiyama) Keywords: MUNICIPALS CASINOS/ (karen.pierog@thomsonreuters.com; 1 312 408 8647; Reuters Messaging: karen.pierog.reuters.com@reuters.net)Copyright Thomson Reuters 2009. All rights reserved.
Friday, January 16, 2009
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Defeat Gambling Issue In Teller County Colorado
Dear Editor (Colorado Springs Gazette):
I strongly oppose the vote in Teller County to expand gambling in Cripple Creek. The limits on gambling were placed there for good reason: gambling destroys families.
For one example, just look at what happened in Woodland Park (Teller County, CO) where a long-time finance department worker embezzled $582,922 for gambling from the school district's general fund, and that happened with the current limits on gambling.
Family members told arresting officers their mother "had attempted suicide" and left a note admitting her guilt. Just imagine what affect this tragedy will have on the family unit, husband and two sons.
I urge all of my friends at the Family Forum to call all of their friends in Teller County and urge them to defeat this family ruining measure.
I strongly oppose the vote in Teller County to expand gambling in Cripple Creek. The limits on gambling were placed there for good reason: gambling destroys families.
For one example, just look at what happened in Woodland Park (Teller County, CO) where a long-time finance department worker embezzled $582,922 for gambling from the school district's general fund, and that happened with the current limits on gambling.
Family members told arresting officers their mother "had attempted suicide" and left a note admitting her guilt. Just imagine what affect this tragedy will have on the family unit, husband and two sons.
I urge all of my friends at the Family Forum to call all of their friends in Teller County and urge them to defeat this family ruining measure.
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Dewey Lee Fletcher to be named Chief of Staff in 4th CD
Unusually reliable sources report that Louisiana Ouachita Parish public relations executive Lee Fletcher will be named Chief of Staff by newly elected Louisiana 4th District Congressman John. Sweeny. Fletcher worked for 5th CD Congressman John Cooksey for about two years until he was allegedly eased out. Before that Fletcher worked for 5th CD Congressman Jim McCrery. Fletcher ran for 5th CD Congressman against Rodney Alexander and was defeated when his votes were diluted by Religious Right candidate Jack Wright. Word is Fletcher will be the real Congressman in the Shreveport until Dr. Sweeny, like Dr. Cooksey before him, figures Fletcher out.
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Mr. Jindal AWOL
Dear Editor:
To Mr. Shexnayder, Ph.D. (The NewsStar, December 5) instead of the wunderkind you defend, what you see is definitely not what we get.
Instead of doing his job in Louisiana when all the paper mills are closing, he's in Iowa campaigning for president. He arrives in his helicopter after the International Paper company announces the loss of 540 jobs in Bastrop to offer his “condolences”. He announces a "secret meeting" of his handlers with "officials" at Smurfit-Stone in Hodge after they have already closed the plant.
He goes to Philadelphia to meet the president-elect, but won't answer phone calls from the press asking how he traveled there in the face of the stink about the three car companies privately flying to D.C. for a bailout.
He goes to Florida for the republic governor’s conference and the Beacon Hill Institute’s Competitiveness Report announces that Louisiana is next to last in attracting and retaining businesses that contribute to economic growth He ran the state health department and the American Public Health Association announces Louisiana is the unhealthiest state in the United States.
Mr. Jindal was AWOL when he ran the health department, AWOL when he ran higher education, and he's AWOL now as governor.
To Mr. Shexnayder, Ph.D. (The NewsStar, December 5) instead of the wunderkind you defend, what you see is definitely not what we get.
Instead of doing his job in Louisiana when all the paper mills are closing, he's in Iowa campaigning for president. He arrives in his helicopter after the International Paper company announces the loss of 540 jobs in Bastrop to offer his “condolences”. He announces a "secret meeting" of his handlers with "officials" at Smurfit-Stone in Hodge after they have already closed the plant.
He goes to Philadelphia to meet the president-elect, but won't answer phone calls from the press asking how he traveled there in the face of the stink about the three car companies privately flying to D.C. for a bailout.
He goes to Florida for the republic governor’s conference and the Beacon Hill Institute’s Competitiveness Report announces that Louisiana is next to last in attracting and retaining businesses that contribute to economic growth He ran the state health department and the American Public Health Association announces Louisiana is the unhealthiest state in the United States.
Mr. Jindal was AWOL when he ran the health department, AWOL when he ran higher education, and he's AWOL now as governor.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
SECOND CASINO PULLS OUT OF KANSAS
HARRAH’S FOLLOWS PENN NATIONAL OUT OF KANSAS Posted: November 24, 2008
How quickly things can change in just a few months. Harrah’s Entertainment became the second developer to say “thanks, but no thanks” to Kansas, dropping its plans to develop and operate a state-owned casino in Sumner County. Citing the "current economic conditions and the unprecedented disruption in the financial markets," the company will not build the proposed $535 million resort the south-central part of the state, according to a statement. The statement said it "was impossible" to finance the project now. Back in August, the Kansas Lottery Gaming Facility Review Board awarded a Harrah’s Entertainment-led partnership, Sumner Resorts-Harrah’s, one of fourth licenses to develop the new casinos in the state. Penn National was also awarded one of the contracts, but pulled out of the deal, claiming a tribal casino that opened this summer posed too much competition in a small marketplace. Cherokee County, where Penn National won its contract, has since sued the Pennsylvania-based operator for more than $52 million in damages and has won a temporary order from a local judge attaching a lien to a $25 million state gambling “privilege fee” that was due to be refunded to the company.
How quickly things can change in just a few months. Harrah’s Entertainment became the second developer to say “thanks, but no thanks” to Kansas, dropping its plans to develop and operate a state-owned casino in Sumner County. Citing the "current economic conditions and the unprecedented disruption in the financial markets," the company will not build the proposed $535 million resort the south-central part of the state, according to a statement. The statement said it "was impossible" to finance the project now. Back in August, the Kansas Lottery Gaming Facility Review Board awarded a Harrah’s Entertainment-led partnership, Sumner Resorts-Harrah’s, one of fourth licenses to develop the new casinos in the state. Penn National was also awarded one of the contracts, but pulled out of the deal, claiming a tribal casino that opened this summer posed too much competition in a small marketplace. Cherokee County, where Penn National won its contract, has since sued the Pennsylvania-based operator for more than $52 million in damages and has won a temporary order from a local judge attaching a lien to a $25 million state gambling “privilege fee” that was due to be refunded to the company.
Friday, October 24, 2008
from a very gifted writer i know
Just this evening I went to Central Market to get some chicken and vegetable kabobs for grilling. I'm wearing an Obama t-shirt that says "VOTE NOV 4th" on it and I'm just passed the bokchoy and Chinese eggplant, when a nebbish man in his late 40's approaches me.
"I just voted!" he says in fortissimo. An "I VOTED!" sticker on his shirt confirmed this.
"Great, I voted on Monday", I responded, now passing the hot house cucumbers.
"...but I didn't vote for that guy" he continues, pointing to my shirt. Editor's Note: (the post thought scenario has me slapping him like Sidney Poitier in In The Heat of the Night at this point)
"How long have you hated America?", I asked curtly.
He is clearly taken aback by my jab, but his retort is undecipherable.. drowned out by the guffaws of my fellow Austinites (arrugula eating liberals, whose ears had perked from beyond the pummelos and blood oranges). His lips kept moving, but I was relentless with scathing commentary that crescendoed at "Javoll, mein führer! Javol, mein führer!'.
...And that's when he reached for the onion.
It was the size of a baseball, and his thumb rubbed the dry skin like a pitcher waiting on a sign. He must've thought he was an "old guard" Texas gun fighter until the snickering made his blood boil right there in front of the comice pears. In the end it was less like Sergio Leone in the produce aisle and more like a grade school stand off. After he threw the onion back into the pile (knocking several to the floor), both parties walked away upset. I felt a little like a bully, partly because the crowd was on my side. But don't bullies always start the fights? I didn't start this fight, but I didn't stop it either. I wanted it. Palpable catharsis. Revenge. For 8 years of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. Guilty and shamed by my soiled reputation as a citizen of this world. So... I let Joe the Plumber have it. I stuck the knife in and twisted off the handle, deepening the social divide I so despise (and have repudiated) in an unconscionable attempt to assuage my anger. But still "the blood dries slowly" Kafka said...and old wounds die hardly.
I hope he doesn't beat his wife.
Just this evening I went to Central Market to get some chicken and vegetable kabobs for grilling. I'm wearing an Obama t-shirt that says "VOTE NOV 4th" on it and I'm just passed the bokchoy and Chinese eggplant, when a nebbish man in his late 40's approaches me.
"I just voted!" he says in fortissimo. An "I VOTED!" sticker on his shirt confirmed this.
"Great, I voted on Monday", I responded, now passing the hot house cucumbers.
"...but I didn't vote for that guy" he continues, pointing to my shirt. Editor's Note: (the post thought scenario has me slapping him like Sidney Poitier in In The Heat of the Night at this point)
"How long have you hated America?", I asked curtly.
He is clearly taken aback by my jab, but his retort is undecipherable.. drowned out by the guffaws of my fellow Austinites (arrugula eating liberals, whose ears had perked from beyond the pummelos and blood oranges). His lips kept moving, but I was relentless with scathing commentary that crescendoed at "Javoll, mein führer! Javol, mein führer!'.
...And that's when he reached for the onion.
It was the size of a baseball, and his thumb rubbed the dry skin like a pitcher waiting on a sign. He must've thought he was an "old guard" Texas gun fighter until the snickering made his blood boil right there in front of the comice pears. In the end it was less like Sergio Leone in the produce aisle and more like a grade school stand off. After he threw the onion back into the pile (knocking several to the floor), both parties walked away upset. I felt a little like a bully, partly because the crowd was on my side. But don't bullies always start the fights? I didn't start this fight, but I didn't stop it either. I wanted it. Palpable catharsis. Revenge. For 8 years of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. Guilty and shamed by my soiled reputation as a citizen of this world. So... I let Joe the Plumber have it. I stuck the knife in and twisted off the handle, deepening the social divide I so despise (and have repudiated) in an unconscionable attempt to assuage my anger. But still "the blood dries slowly" Kafka said...and old wounds die hardly.
I hope he doesn't beat his wife.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Ruth Ulrich Elected As Louisiana's Republicn National Committee Woman
Breaking News
According to non-country club republican sources, the Honorable Kay Kellogg Katz has been replaced as Louisiana’s National Republican Woman’s Representative. By a vote of 144-27 (84% of the votes cast) Ms. Ruth Ulrich (www.ruthulrich.com) of Monroe was elected and will represent Louisiana at the National Convention in Minnesota. As I recall some $122,259.58 (Campaign Finance Report Dated 10/03/2007) was raised to return Ms. Katz to office last Fall precisely because she was a member of the National Republican Committee. Makes a grown person wonder.
According to non-country club republican sources, the Honorable Kay Kellogg Katz has been replaced as Louisiana’s National Republican Woman’s Representative. By a vote of 144-27 (84% of the votes cast) Ms. Ruth Ulrich (www.ruthulrich.com) of Monroe was elected and will represent Louisiana at the National Convention in Minnesota. As I recall some $122,259.58 (Campaign Finance Report Dated 10/03/2007) was raised to return Ms. Katz to office last Fall precisely because she was a member of the National Republican Committee. Makes a grown person wonder.
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