Arizona Budget Discussions:
Alternative Policies for State Gaming
Arizona racetrack operators have been offering the state an estimated $400 million per year if gaming is expanded to Arizona racetracks.
This policy discussion really asks one simple question, “Is it worth it to the state to authorize additional gaming at Arizona racetracks?"
Political Discussion of Arizona Gaming Taxes
Click to See the Full Political Discussion Including Questions and Responses
Policy Proposal #4a:
Maintain Indian Gaming Policy
Political Coalition Blocks Expansion
Mary Jo Pitzl
Arizona Republic
"Racetrack owners are trying to persuade lawmakers to give them the authority to operate slot machines in exchange for a hefty return to the state. But that idea is not popular with many anti-gambling legislators or with lawmakers who want to protect the Indian tribes' casino business."
January 11, 2010
"Can the Arizona Democrats balance their need to protect the most vulnerable in our society with the need to protect the Indian gaming monopoly?
Can the Arizona Republicans balance their desires to limit gambling with their desire to balance the budget?"
March 30, 2010
Click to See Arizona Legislature
Policy Preferences
Gaming Legal Issues
Bob Burns
Arizona Senate President, Republican, Peoria
"I am not sure this is something we should be involved in. This is a fight between the Tohono O’odham Nation and the City of Glendale."
(On holding the House Bill 2297 to allow Glendale to annex tribal land.)
Howard Fischer
Capitol Media Services
March 29, 2010
"After Gov, Brewer, Sen. McCain, Sen. Kyl and the Arizona House of Representatives have all made comments opposing the Tohono O’odham casino, why is Senator Burns placing city annexation legislation on hold?"
April 3, 2010
Policy Proposal #4b:
Tax Off-Reservation Gaming
Gaming Could Provide Revenues & Jobs
Robert Robb
Arizona Republic
"But if racinos are to be considered, it should be at the ballot, as part of the other tough fiscal choices the Legislature may put before voters."
August 14, 2010
Linda Lopez
State Senator Minority WHIP
Democrat, Tucson
"(The State) needs to decide whether the crisis warrants” expanding gambling. I have to take care of the people in my district and their need for jobs and economic resources in their community."
Jim Small
Capitol Times
October 23, 2009
"What is the economic impact to the State of Arizona by expanding gaming? What is the public approval of limited gaming expansion?"
March 30, 2010
Regulatory Oversight of Racing
Ned Norris
Tohono O’odham Nation
"The Tohono O’odham Nation has always played by the rules. In contrast, the horse and dog tracks have a history of lax regulation and limited oversight. The public, the governor and the legislature must see the ‘racino’ proposal as the absurdity it is, and send the tracks back to the barn."
August 15, 2009
"Is the State of Arizona satisfied with the Department of Racing’s regulatory oversight of thoroughbred and greyhound racing?"
March 13, 2010
Economic Discussion of Arizona Gaming Taxes
Click to See the Full Economic Discussion Including Questions and Responses
Policy Proposal #4a:
Maintain Indian Gaming Policy
Keeping the Promise Made in 2002
William Rhodes
Gila River Indian Community
"Off reservation casinos will mean ‘hundreds of millions of dollars’ to the state. Never mind that gambling revenues are down. Never mind that this expansion would change Arizona into Las Vegas East. Never mind that this would invalidate the compacts that have produced $600 million in tribal contributions since 2004.
Those who would break the promise see profits where we see limited gaming and the rule of law. We, their opponents, believe promises are more than just words. We believe any promise that helps us all is a promise that absolutely must be kept."
Arizona Republic
February 23, 2010
"How many hundreds of millions of dollars would racinos bring into the state?"
March 13, 2010
Impact of Expansion on Arizona Indians
Albert Hale
Arizona Senator
Democrat, Flagstaff, Navajo Nation
"Personally, I think it's (authorizing racinos) a good idea (for the Arizona Indian Nations) because it removes all the limitations."
Mary Jo Pitzl
Arizona Republic
May 20, 2009
"Given the terms of the 'poison pill', how much money would the Indians gain (or lose) if racetracks would allowed to offer casino gaming."
March 13, 2010
Policy Proposal #4b:
Tax Off-Reservation Gaming
Racing Fosters Economic Development
Steve Pierce
Senate Majority WHIP
Republican, Prescott
"Additional revenue streams like racinos could bring new jobs, new tax bases, new businesses to the State that again will help us grow out of the financial mess we are in.
Why do we just look past this? Horse racing is a huge business nationwide and it could be brought here with a year round climate."
PrescotteNews.com
November 8, 2009
"Is there a healthy future for racing in the State of Arizona?"
March 13, 2010
Revenues From Arizona Casino Operations
Jay Heiler
Lobbyist, Arizona Racetrack Coalition
"Unless all the pigeons fly home, casino gambling is here to stay. Already embedded in the community, it’s going to become more so.
The only remaining question is whether we are going to regulate it and tax it for the benefit of all Arizonans."
July 25, 2009
"Is the State of Arizona satisfied with the Department of Gaming’s regulatory oversight of Indian casinos?"
March 13, 2010
Social Discussion of Arizona Gaming Taxes
Click to See the Full Social Discussion Including Questions and Responses
Policy Proposal #4a:
Maintain Indian Gaming Policy
Gambling Must Be Contained
Cathi Herrod
Center for Arizona Policy
"We strongly oppose any other extension or expansion of gambling in our state, whether it’s the proposed casino by the Tohono O’odham or the proposed racinos.
Study after study shows that gambling costs far exceed any perceived benefits. Trying to bail out the state budget by expanding gambling will only further hurt families, the economy and communities in Arizona."
Letter to Arizona Legislators
February 24, 2010
"Given that Arizona is already experiencing the negative consequences of gambling, doesn't it make sense to tax it properly?"
March 13, 2010
The Ideology that Gambling is a Social Ill
Chuck Gray
Senate Majority Leader
Republican, Mesa
"Called it a 'non-starter' in the Senate, saying he and many other Republicans have grave concerns about the social ills that they believe would follow expanded gambling."
Mary Jo Pitzl
Arizona Republic
May 20, 2009
"Does expansion of gaming to existing racetracks, in established locations, really threaten Arizona to become Las Vegas East."
March 13, 2010
Policy Proposal #4b:
Tax Off-Reservation Gaming
Gaming is a Fairness Issue
Jesse Mathewson
Arizona Libertarian Party
"Casino gambling should be made legal for all Arizona citizens on Arizona state land.
At the same time, the State of Arizona should have no authority whatsoever over Indian casinos.
In particular, Proposition 202, which was passed in 2002, should be repealed since it is nothing more than a tax on a sovereign nation."
2008 Arizona Libertarian Party Platform
"Eighteen states are current examining some form of gaming for their state. Why wouldn’t Arizona be one of the states examining their options?"
March 9, 2010
Limited Commercial Casinos
Vic Williams
Representative
Republican, Tucson
"If the state is going to consider expanding gaming, it should look beyond the racetracks."
"The discussion should be expanded to consider allowing full-fledged casinos be built outside of the reservations. Let’s do this right, if we are going to look at this, let’s do it in a way that propels the state forward."
Jim Small
Capitol Times
October 23, 2009
"How much money could the state receive upfront by authorizing a limited number of commercial casino at specific locations with identified ownership?"
March 13, 2010
Click to See Proposal for Limited
Commercial Casinos for Arizona