Michigan Casino Initiative Coalition Grows

6 October 2004

LANSING, Michigan – (PRESS RELEASE)-- The broad-based coalition working to pass Proposal 1 on the Nov. 2 ballot has now grown to include more than 25,000 Michigan organizations and citizens united to give voters the power to decide future casino-style gambling expansions proposed by the State.

Former long-time Michigan Gov. William G. Milliken also recently joined the Yes on Proposal 1 coalition. The coalition includes mayors, county commissioners, city council members, state legislators, members of Congress, law enforcement officials, prosecutors, pro-gambling groups, anti-gambling organizations, teachers, school superintendents and thousands of other Michigan citizens. Proposal 1 gives Michigan voters the power to approve future casino-style gambling expansions in their communities proposed by the State.

Gov. Milliken served from 1969-1983 and became one of the most popular governors in Michigan history. Milliken was governor in 1972 when Michigan voters approved the Lottery Act, which mentions nothing about Lottery slot machines/Video Lottery Terminals (VLTs) at horse racetracks, bars, restaurants and other community-based locations.

"Our coalition continues to grow at a staggering rate," said former Lt. Gov. Dick Posthumus, a leader of the Yes on Proposal 1 campaign. "Michigan voters are not falling for attempts by our opponents to trick, confuse and scare voters. Proposal 1 is simple and voters know it. A yes vote on Proposal 1 simply means that Michigan voters get to vote on massive gambling expansions proposed in their communities. Proposal 1 does not expand gambling and it does not end the expansion of gambling for any community, the Lottery or anyone. It simply gives Michigan voters the power to make the decision like we have always done throughout Michigan history."

Other Yes on Proposal 1 supporters include Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick; U.S. Rep. Candice Miller, R-Harrison Township; state Sen. Buzz Thomas, D- Detroit; U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Brighton; Eaton County Sheriff Rick Jones, a Republican; Isabella County Commission Vice Chair Sharon Tilmann, a Democrat; the Detroit Regional Chamber of Commerce; 23 is Enough, an anti-gambling group in Grand Rapids and west Michigan; Positively Muskegon; the Rev. Wendell Anthony, President of the Detroit Branch NAACP; the Detroit Black Chamber of Commerce; former Chippewa County Prosecutor Patrick Shannon, a Democrat; former Michigan State Police Director Col. Ritchie T. Davis, who also served on the Michigan Gaming Control Board; two former teachers of the year; nearly two dozen state legislators; and thousands of ordinary citizens from across the state. Total coalition membership stands at more than 25,000 as of today. (A list of members can be found at http://www.letvotersdecideyes.com .)

Under Proposal 1, Michigan voters would decide future State-proposed gambling expansions -- just as Michigan voters have decided State-proposed gambling expansions in the past, including the Lottery in 1972 and the three Detroit casinos in 1996. Proposal 1 is opposed by gambling expansion supporters who are trying to evade voters by lobbying the Legislature to open nine new horse racetrack casinos in Michigan as early as next year.

The Let Voters Decide-YES on 1 amendment is consistent with Michigan history. Whenever State-sanctioned gambling has expanded in Michigan, voters have made the decision -- the Lottery in 1972, and the three Detroit casinos in 1996. It is expected that each of the nine horse racetrack casinos would have 2,000 or so slot machines, which would amount to a near doubling of the number of slots in Michigan -- without a vote of the people. The proposal has no affect on existing Michigan Lottery games. Under the amendment, the Lottery is free to establish new games in the future short of placing Video Lottery Terminals/slot machines or table games into community-based locations such as neighborhood bars and restaurants. The State/Lottery could operate casino-style gambling in the future if voters approve.

The three Detroit casinos and the Lottery would continue to operate because they have already been approved by Michigan voters. Current Indian casinos would also continue to operate because they are regulated by federal law.

Under their constitutions, 10 other states permit certain types of gaming activities only when they are authorized by a local vote of citizens in the municipality or county where gaming would take place -- Alabama, Colorado, Delaware, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, New Jersey, Rhode Island, South Dakota and West Virginia. In addition, the constitutions of five states require a statewide vote of the people for gambling expansion or authorization -- Colorado, Montana, New Jersey, Rhode Island and Washington. Starting with our state's first constitution in 1835, the Michigan Constitution has always contained an amendment specifying the level of gambling activities allowed in our state.

Contrary to Michigan history, the state Legislature is one short step from giving final approval to opening the nine new horse racetrack casinos in Michigan, adding 18,000 or more slot machines in or near Jackson, Saginaw, Flint, Muskegon, Mt. Pleasant, Hazel Park, Northville, Lansing and Romulus. Voters in these communities would have no say in this massive gambling expansion unless we approve the Let Voters Decide-YES on 1 amendment. Michigan history says voters should decide.