House panel approves casino gambling measure for Shelby
The resolution is sponsored by Rep. Larry Miller, D-Memphis, chairman of the State Government subcommittee that passed it.
Voters removed a prohibition against lotteries from the state Constitution by referendum 15 months ago, and the state’s lottery began operating last month.
However, the Constitution still bars casino gambling with blackjack and roulette. Miller’s resolution would call another referendum on a constitutional amendment to allow casino gambling only within Shelby County.
“Shelby County has $1 billion in debt,” Miller told the subcommittee. “It would be difficult to pass a payroll tax. An income tax won’t happen here. But our debt is increasing, our property taxes are constantly increasing, and we have to find a way to generate additional revenues.”
Miller introduced a study claiming that Memphis and other Shelby County residents have spent more than $300 million in northern Mississippi casinos since 1992.
To get on the ballot, the resolution would have to be approved three times before the current General Assembly adjourns and three more times when the next two-year legislative session convenes in January.
The last reading has to be approved by a two-thirds vote of both houses of the Legislature.
Although the change would apply to Shelby County only, citizens across the state would vote on whether to adopt it.
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On the Net:
See House Joint Resolution 788 at Tennessee General Assembly: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/
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