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As local elections heats up, Minnesota seems to be locked in the trend of states expanding gambling facilities in their areas.All three major candidates for governor of the state have all expressed willingness to consider gambling expansion, mainly to aid the state in its budget constraints, especially during these times. This, in turn, has made lobbyists of expanded gambling, especially those for establishing racinos – slot machines in horse racing tracks, more hopeful. Several parties have opposed the plans to install slots in horse tracks, notably Native American tribes that have interests in casino operations in the state. The tribes have clearly stated that they will put up a fight against any attempt to expand gambling options in the state, since it would be in competition to the casinos that provide them with income. But despite these pronouncements, two candidates have already tacitly expressed willingness to do the opposite. Mark Dayton of the Democratic Party and Tom Horner of the independence Party have both agreed that expanded gambling can be a solution to be considered in solving the budget shortage of the state, now amounting to $5.8 billion.
Horner has been proposing a plan to establish racinos which would permit the state to put slot machines in the hose tracks of Minnesota. He further suggests that new income from this racinos, which he claimed to reach $250 million, can be utilized for the easing of the budget of the state and the construction of a new Vikings stadium. Horner claims that the deficit is already at $6 billion and it is important for legislators to understand that it is already a very deep deficit to get out of, and thinks that gambling is one viable solution to ease the budget gap. Meanwhile, Dayton is thinking of establishing a whole new casino facility. For his proposal, he is considering two options – one in Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport and one at the at the Mall of America. The Democrat candidate is also considering putting yet another casino, this time to be run by the state, in the metropolitan area of the Twin Cities.
He claims this would be a good move for the state because it would not only revive the area, but it will also induce competition between the new facility and the Mystic Lake casino, which is operated by the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux tribe. Dayton says that the tribal casino is a monopoly protected by the government and is not serving the best interest of the people of the state. As revenues are needed by the state, he claims that competition would also be good for retailers, politicians and casino operators, since everyone would be encouraged to perform better. The third gubernatorial candidate, Tom Emmer of the Republican Party, has also had a history of support for expanded gambling, although his current position is not as enthusiastic as the other two. He has issued statements saying he will not be supporting a solution that promotes gambling expansion for fixing the budget concerns of the state. He does entertain the thought of expanded gambling though, to give the state’s economy a needed boost. He said that he welcomes any proposal that will introduce more jobs to the market, although he also thinks that something must be done to the excess and bloat that is currently present in the government, for the budget to be more balanced.
Dick Day, a lobbyist for racinos, said that it is great to see the three gubernatorial candidates expressing support for gambling in the state. He expects support for expanded gambling to further increase as the government will be faced with the possibility of government projects being cut due to the budget deficit. The governor’s blessing in this type of project is not really a guarantee though that the plan will push through. In 2005, slot machines were also championed by then Governor Tim Pawlenty, but the effort was opposed and eventually defeated by a number of groups, including the Native American tribes and religious groups. As of the moment, the tribes are already expressing opposition, with its statements made through the Minnesota Indian Gaming Association.