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Former Washington Governors Fight Gaming Expansion3 March 2003SEATTLE, Washington – As reported by the Associated Press: "All five of Washington's living former governors have signed on to a new citizens' group formed to oppose expanding non-tribal gambling. "Members of the Citizens Against Gambling Expansion are `troubled that big-time gambling interests are in our state Capitol cynically telling lawmakers that more gambling will provide an easy answer to the state's budget problems,' said King County Prosecutor Norm Maleng, co-chairman of the group with former Democratic Gov. Booth Gardner. "…Former Gov. Mike Lowry was among the dozen or so current and former state and local officials who attended the news conference. Not in attendance but lending their names to the effort were former Govs. Albert Rosellini, a Democrat, and Republicans Dan Evans and John Spellman. "…On Thursday Democratic lawmakers said they had enough votes to prevent Senate approval of any gambling expansion, which under the state constitution must be approved by a 60 percent majority in both chambers. "…A coalition of non-tribal minicasinos, restaurants, taverns, bars, bowling alleys and charitable bingo operations is pushing the measure, backed by the Entertainment Industry Coalition. Supporters contend the growth of machine gambling at tribal casinos has cut deeply into the market for bingo and the pull-tabs used to bring customers into bars, taverns and bowling alleys…" |