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Michigan Pro-Casino Group Kicks Off Campaign

DETROIT, Michigan – (PRESS RELEASE) -- Business, community and political leaders from Grand Rapids and Metro Detroit today kicked off a grassroots campaign to pass Proposal 1, a constitutional amendment on the Nov. 2 General Election ballot that would give Michigan voters the power to approve future casino-style gambling expansions proposed by the State.

Detroit and Grand Rapids leaders held separate news conferences today to launch statewide grassroots activities aimed at winning YES votes on Proposal 1.

"I urge all Detroiters to vote Yes on Proposal 1," the Rev. Horace L. Sheffield, Executive Director of Detroit Association of Black Organizations, said at the Detroit news conference. "Thousands of Detroiters work in the casinos and their jobs will be in danger if new casinos open up all over Michigan. Millions of dollars that the casinos currently contribute to pay for Detroit police officers, firefighters and teachers will be in jeopardy."

At the Grand Rapids news conference, business leader Mike Jandernoa said Proposal 1 gives Michigan voters the power to limit future State-proposed gambling expansions that could occur in their communities if the measure is not approved.

"Proposal 1 is a big step in the right direction toward stopping the proliferation of gambling in Michigan," said Jandernoa, chair of 23 is Enough, an organization that is working to stop gambling expansions in Michigan. "Given the overwhelming negative impacts of gambling on individuals, families, businesses, and governments, it is right that the voters should have a say in how our state approaches gambling expansion."

Back in Detroit, the Rev. Jim Holley, Pastor of Little Rock Baptist Church, said Proposal 1 simply requires future State-proposed gambling expansions to follow the same process that led to the establishment of the Lottery in 1972 and the three Detroit casinos in 1996. Both the Lottery and the casinos were established by Michigan voters.

"A 'Yes' vote on Proposal 1 is the only fair vote in Detroit," Holley said. "These are the same rules Detroiters had to follow in 1996 when the Detroit casinos were approved. It's only fair that what's good for Detroit is good for Michigan."

The Let Voters Decide-YES on 1 coalition currently has more than 750 members, including mayors, county commissioners, city council members, state legislators, members of Congress, pro-gambling groups, anti-gambling organizations, teachers, school superintendents and hundreds of other citizens. Members include Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick; U.S. Rep. Candice Miller, R-Harrison Township; state Sen. Buzz Thomas, D-Detroit; former Lt. Gov. Dick Posthumus, a Republican from Alto; U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers, R- Brighton; Eaton County Sheriff Rick Jones, a Republican; Isabella County Commission Vice Chair Sharon Tilmann, a Democrat; the Rev. Wendell Anthony, President of the Detroit Branch NAACP; 23 is Enough, based in Grand Rapids; the Detroit Black Chamber of Commerce; the Detroit Regional Chamber of Commerce; two former teachers of the year; nearly two dozen state legislators; and hundreds of ordinary citizens from across the state.

Some 500,690 Michigan voters signed petitions to put the Let Voters Decide-YES on 1 amendment on the Nov. 2 general election ballot. Under the proposal, 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.

The proposal is opposed by a Canadian gambling company and other 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.

"Our coalition is growing rapidly and now includes hundreds of Democrats and Republicans, teachers, school officials, ministers, members of Congress, dozens of state legislators, mayors and so many other citizens who believe Michigan voters should have a say in future gambling expansions in their communities," said former Michigan Lt. Gov. Dick Posthumus, a leader of the Let Voters Decide-YES on 1 campaign. "It is a shame that gambling expansion supporters from Michigan and Canada are trying to deny a vote to Michigan voters."

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.

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 neighborhood bars, restaurants or other community-based locations across the state. If state government/the Lottery wants to operate casino-style gambling, voters would have to 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.

The Michigan Legislature is one short step from giving final approval to opening the nine new horse track 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. This would amount to a near doubling of the number of slot machines in Michigan. And, voters in the communities that will host the slots 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.

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