Commentary; Posted: 4/21/04

State gambling debate cloaks taxation issues

State political leaders are poised to embrace an expansion of gambling. House Republicans have already endorsed racino, and Gov. Tim Pawlenty and Senate DFL leaders have begun the slow migration towards expansion ó though avoiding the word. Minnesotans should worry.

Gambling, of course, is based on virtual non-reality - the lure of the big strike if one shows the forbearance to accept the endless trickle of loss. For the state to expand gambling is to invite a larger role for empty words and political sleight of hand.

It is already manifest in the gambling debate.

The push for an expansion of state-sponsored gambling is a frank admission state government is underfunded. It is either underfunded, or mismanaged. If this were not the case, then why the hunger for extra dollars?

Using gambling revenue, as suggested by House Republican leaders, for nursing homes is not funding the ìnicetiesî ó community centers, parks ó often described as the proper recipients of gambling dollars. Rather it is funding core mission of government. But twists of logic abound in the gambling debate.

Wrapped-up in the rhetorical mess is taxation. Republicans refuse to raise taxes and have so politically compromised themselves with promises to special interests that they are in a box.

Gambling offers political miracles.

Apparently, if someone is duped into paying sham taxes through gambling, then real taxes aren't really being raised. No pledge is broke. Words are kept.

Why cloaked taxation is acceptable, while plainer, more understandable forms of taxation are taboo, makes perfect sense in a world where a lottery ticket makes instant multimillionaires.

In the world where mourning doves coo in the trees and children go to school, such thinking comes across as odd. Or as a political convenience.

The injection of gambling revenue, a counterfeit coin the public feels little emotional tie to and officials invariably will treat as play money, serves only to dilute civic pride.

It lessens the bond of accountability and plain talk that ought to exist between the voters and people they elect to represent them.

Should Minnesota continue down the path of a state-sponsored gambling, it will not stop with a racino or another card club. As many destitute people can attest, gambling is addictive.

Minnesotans should expect more thoughtful answers by those entrusted to run the state.

The success some Native American tribes have enjoyed through their casinos is wrapped up in the gambling debate. Whether it should be a source of pride or pain that Minnesota receives no direct revenue from Indian gambling is something that can be discussed.

Few other groups in America, if any, endure the historic burden borne by Native Americans. Whether traffic congestion deserves equal status to centuries of poverty and disillusionment, others can decide.

Pawlentyís and the Senate DFLís decision on gambling will carry great weight and will set the stage for events in the Legislature.

The governor once said he wanted to be known for something more than the governor who solved a big budget problem. A decision to expand gambling will serve less as an enduring legacy than cautionary tale.

ó An editorial from the ECM Editorial Board. The Forest Lake Times is part of ECM Publishers, Inc.

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