Office of Speaker Neufeld: SPEAKER RESPONDS TO GAMING DECISION

FROM THE OFFICE OF SPEAKER NEUFELD

June 27, 2008

For More Information, Contact:
Sherriene Jones-Sontag
Office of Speaker Melvin Neufeld 
785/296-2302


TOPEKA- Kansas House Speaker Rep. Melvin Neufeld (R-Ingalls) today expressed disappointment in the Kansas Supreme Court’s decision to uphold of the constitutionality of the 2007 Kansas Expanded Lottery Act (KELA).

  “It is disingenuous to think when Kansans voted in 1986 to create a state-owned and operated lottery and allow the sale of scratch game tickets, they were voting to allow casinos in our state.  I was in the Kansas Legislature in 1986 and I can assure you that was not the intention of the amendment voters approved.  There is a tremendous difference between a scratch ticket and a slot machine.”

  The Speaker noted that while in terms of funding the decision could be seen as a positive one, he disagrees with the method in which the state has chosen to do business.

  “I would certainly prefer to sit down and find a way to make our state financially secure without literally staking our future on a bet,” said Neufeld. “Construction of the casinos will give us some room to breathe.  However once the casinos are operating, the potential for these predicted revenues to fall is a real concern.”

   Speaker Neufeld also noted that as the country nears a possible recession, discretionary spending is likely to slow.  “Kansans will be deciding whether to spend $3 for a gallon of milk or put it into a slot machine.  Most will chose to provide for their families. The bottom line is that we must learn to operate more efficiently, and until we do, there is no amount of gaming revenue that will keep us from digging another hole.”

  Speaker Neufeld said the Legislature will monitor the progress of the KELA to ensure that Kansans’ best interests are served and will act on their behalf if necessary.