Governor says casino ‘not the solution’ in Memphis
Bredesen made his opinions known in a conference call Monday while attending the annual National Governors Association conference in Washington, D.C.
House Speaker Jimmy Naifeh, D-Covington, said Bredesen’s position would weigh heavily in any legislative debate on casinos.
“I think an issue like that would require the chief executive to be fully behind it,” Naifeh said.
Former Memphis state senator Bill Bruce, one of the top lobbyists in the Capitol, and other lobbyists are representing Save the Pyramid, a group that hopes to open the Memphis arena to casinos after the new FedExForum is completed this fall.
A hearing scheduled Tuesday in the House for a controversial bill that would allow the state to amend its Constitution to allow casino gambling in Shelby County could be deferred after the governor’s comments, said Rep. Larry Miller.
Miller, a Memphis Democrat, sponsored the resolution in the House.
“I feel (Bredesen’s comments) will hurt the possibility of passing it this year,” Miller told The Commercial Appeal on Monday. “I will count my votes (on the committee) and see.”
Casino gambling is outlawed by the Constitution. Legalizing it would require a constitutional amendment approved in a statewide referendum.
If the proposed resolution does not pass the General Assembly before it adjourns, the earliest a referendum could be held is 2010. Even if it is approved this year, the earliest a referendum could be held is the general election of November 2006 because the state Constitution requires constitutional referendums to be held on the same ballot as general elections for governor.
Bredesen said he does not believe a constitutional amendment would pass in the Legislature.
“No, I think that would be virtually impossible to do. And if I were talking to the political and business leadership in Shelby County, I’d say that grasping after what’s going (on) down in Tunica is not the solution to any issues down there.
“The lottery is not a month old. I think the issue of extending gambling any further than it is in the state probably ought to stop right there for five to 10 years, and then let’s look at where we are.”
The resolution was approved by a House subcommittee last week. The bill is scheduled for a hearing in the House State and Local Government Committee on Tuesday.
“I agree the answer to Shelby County’s debt problem is not Tunica. But what is the answer? A payroll tax? Cutting services?” Miller said. “The mayor has said that even if we cut services, there will still need to be property tax increases.”
Miller said he filed the casino resolution as a way to raise money to help pay Shelby County’s high debt and reduce pressure on taxpayers.
Bruce said the “governor’s position is obviously very important on this issue. My hope is that with additional information from people in Shelby County, the governor might reconsider that position. I’m confident that he’ll be getting additional information.”
John Willingham, a Shelby County commissioner and an outspoken supporter of casino gambling, said Bredesen is “testing the wind of what the will of the legislature is.
“What does casino gaming have to do with the lottery? Not a blooming thing, in my opinion. One is for the benefit of schools and students, and I think that’s great. The legislation for the casino would be for the constituents of Memphis, Shelby County and the state. And with our indebtedness, earnings from a casino would sure as heck help Memphis and Shelby County.”
Willingham said he’ll be in Nashville on Tuesday to meet with legislators on a number of issues, including casino gaming.
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Tennessee General Assembly: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us
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