Letter: Racino is 'Sensible' Solution to Budget Problems

Editor's Note: This letter was originally sent to Sen. Ron Latz (DFL-District 44) and Patch is republishing it.

Racino is the most sensible way to accomplish what we need, and we all know that eventually it's going to pass, as the proponents will not give up on it because it is so much more sensible than any of the other schemes that are thought of and tried, and that usually fail, especially when it gets down to additionally taxing the taxpayers of this state.  

Fourteen other states have enacted Racino legislation and the benefits have been impressive. Indiana, a state where the racing industry was quite similar to that seen currently in Minnesota, recently passed this legislation and has seen a substantial economic impact (over $2.6 billion) and equine industry employment increase (nearly 20,000 FTE jobs). Minnesota would be no different.

The estimate how much revenue this all will provide is usually estimated at a low minimum in any event, as the end results of these types of programs have always turned out to be much greater that expected.

Also, the thing that’s so befuddling to people is this phrase, "expansion of gambling" that is still mentioned. Is this some type of a thing that is "mesmerizing" the legislators that mention this? I’m sure you realize as well as the majority, that this is not an "expansion of gambling", as the people gambling are already in place out there today, and are gambling at present and will be gambling in the future.

Sure, you may have a few "new starters", but you're always going to have these additions, however, the additional number is very small and very insignificant.

When any new facility opens, (i.e., grocery store, convenience store, service station, or miscellaneous store) that would sell the lottery, is this a so-called "expansion of gambling?"

In reality, I don't think so, as you already have the lotto players playing, and this just gives them an additional place to buy their tickets that they have been previously purchasing. With these additional facilities being erected, I would think that there wouldn’t be any significant number of additional tickets sold overall.

Again, if the legislators say that they’re against the so-called “expansion of gambling,” why have they always advertised the lottery, scratch off games and related on television, radio and on billboard signs all over the state of Minnesota? Isn't this a conflict of their ideals?

In summary, and after all of these so-called solutions that have been produced, and that haven't succeeded so far, that maybe already, the majority of legislators would realize that Racino would be such a sensible solution and such an overwhelming benefit to so many? I know that it would be a travesty to so many if this isn't considered to end this dilemma.

The Indian tribes have no boundary when it comes to gambling revenue and exemption, correct? When Skip Humphrey and Jim gave away the ship way back when the agreement was supposedly done, was that a forever thing?

I and many people included sometimes wonder if our leaders, yourself included, really understand what reality is when it comes to common sense decisions.

Even though these legislators have been and are paid off currently, I hope this can supersede these obstacles, as what's right should always overcome.

Can 80 percent of the people be incorrect?

Also, is there anything our distinguished Sen. Al Franken can do for us?

Sincerely,

Ron Burton

Golden Valley resident