Wednesday, March 21, 2007

West Virginia lawmakers have wrapped up the 2007 legislative session, and
the major piece of legislation emerging from the 60-day session was the bill
permitting racetracks to add table games, pending approval by voters of the
four counties where the tracks are located. In the last election, the
gambling interests spent nearly $400,000 in direct contributions to their
favored candidates, and who knows how many thousands more in indirect,
unreported support. They were rewarded with legislation that means the first
step in expanding gambling in a way that will change our state forever, if
voters eventually approve table game referendums. In fact, the Associated
Press recently reported that West Virginia will join only one other state --
Iowa -- in regard to allowing venues that provide racing, slots and table
games in the same locations. It is, of course, foolish to pretend, as the
Democrats do, that when voters approved the lottery two decades ago they
were also giving their assent to table games. But our lawmakers have chosen
to take the position that the initiative at that time intended to permit
whatever they mean it to say today. Court challenges will undoubtedly
result, and rightfully so. Voters all over the state, not just in four
counties, deserve the opportunity to express their will in regard to this
massive gamble of our state's future. The gambling interests have promised
hundreds of jobs and vast economic expansion in return for the ability to
provide table games. It was truly fascinating to watch as the promises piled
up and various regions saw the pot sweetened in exchange for the support of
the table games legislation. A few more thousand promised here, a few more
thousand promised there -- and pretty soon, the votes were in order and the
critics were scolded for not caring about jobs or the economy. For me and
many others, our increasing reliance on gambling to solve our economic
problems sends a terrible signal to our children and grandchildren. But,
sadly, this gambling expansion should have been expected from a state whose
TV and radio commercials ask us to play the West Virginia Lottery, but to
"play responsibly," while at the same time buying billboards offering help
if you are a problem gambler. There are sound, proven and lasting ways to
grow a state's economy, but most Democratic legislators refused to address
those methods in any meaningful way.
Decisive reductions in taxes have proven time and again to encourage new
investment and expand the economy, but the Democrats did little but nibble
around the edges of meaningful tax reforms. Instead, they cast their lot
with the gambling lobbyists, and opened the door to a new era of government
preying even further on one of the most addictive and destructive behaviors
known to society.

Aside from gambling legislation, were there any other major accomplishments
this session?

Clearly, no. Long-sought pay raises were cobbled together for teachers and
state workers, but not enough to forestall more headaches on this issue in
the near future. Lawmakers agreed to sell tobacco bonds in the hopes of a
$750 million windfall rather than a higher payout drawn out over a longer
period of time.

West Virginians will have to keep paying the state's "temporary" gas tax, a
few more judges were added around the state, and the privilege tax, which
should be eliminated, was instead softened somewhat by a provision that
would help new residents avoid it, which was better than nothing.

But completely ignored by this Legislature were social conservatives of all
parties, with pro-life bills ignored and gambling initiatives front and
center.

In the end, it is the table games legislation for which this session will be
remembered. In essence, voters chose a legislature in the 2006 elections
that decided the best way to represent their constituents this session was
to expand our state's ability to attract gamblers.

Over the next few months, the Republican Party will begin recruiting
candidates for the 2008 election. I personally invite any Republican to step
forward who will fight for the kind of economic development our state
desperately needs -- candidates who believe in lower taxes, a fairer court
system, an economic climate that encourages businesses to locate here that
provide good-paying jobs and benefits, and the conservative values our state
holds dear.