Baker expects casino issue to go to the voters

Friday, February 6, 2004

By the end of Nebraska's 2004 legislative session, State Sen. Tom Baker of Trenton expects Nebraska lawmakers to approve a constitutional amendment which would put the question of casino gambling on the ballot.

According to Baker, the Legislature will probably pass a proposed amendment which would permit up to eight casinos in the state. And, unlike, previous proposals, this plan does not specify where in the state the casinos would be located.

The Legislature gave the revised measure first-round approval, with one vote to spare, on Thursday.

Speaking by conference call to the Legislative Committee of the McCook Area Chamber of Commerce, Baker said he could now support putting the casino question to a vote.

Previously, he said, there were geographic requirements in the casino plan that concentrated them in eastern Nebraska, leaving the west out of consideration. Despite agreeing that the casino question should be placed on the ballot, the senator from Trenton said he remains opposed to state-sanctioned gambling because of the social problem it causes.

However, Baker said it is important for the Legislature to act because the petition initiatives now in circulation are not in the best interests of Nebraska's people. "The petitions are being paid for by casino gambling and casino machine interests. They are self-serving and do not provide for legislative oversight."

If casinos eventually are allowed in the state, Baker believes that western Nebraska should take a shot at getting one. Because of Denver and the Front Range of Colorado, Baker said western Nebraska towns such as McCook and Kimball are closer to major population centers than most other parts of the state.

The plan that advanced on a 26-14 vote Thursday says that the people will be asked if they want to authorize the Legislature to approve casino gambling. Adoption of the amendment would mean only that the Legislature could approve casinos if a legislative majority wanted to do it. Furthermore, any enabling legislation could be subject to a governor's veto and thus require 33 votes for enactment.

In other discussion during Thursday's meeting, Sen. Baker made these points:

* The speeding fine bill, introduced by Baker, is being favorably received by the legislature, but is unlikely to pass this session. The bill would double fines for speeding. Before the plan is finalized, Baker said he would rewrite it to include changes in the point rule for drivers.

* An attorney general's opinion is expected to be handed down next week which will have an effect on whether LB 479, an ethanol bill, will be passed. Baker also talked about two other ethanol bills he has introduced: LB 1065 and LB 1066. As it stands now, LB 1066 is in limbo until a funding source can be determined.

* The question of term limits is expected to be on the November ballot, Baker said. He looks for the question to come before the legislature in the first week of

April and be on the ballot in November. "We have one shot (to get the term limit changed)," he said. Otherwise Nebraska will lose 19 veteran senators in 2006.

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Eleven people attended Thursday morning's meeting. They were Rex Nelson, Ike Brown, Ron Friehe, Brent McMurtrey, Jim Coady, Angus Garey, Larry Eisenmegner, Raleigh Haas, Gary Bieganski, Duane Tappe and Gene Morris. The Legislative Committee meets each Thursday morning at 8 a.m. during the legislative session. The meetings are held at the McCook Chamber office.

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