![]() Newsletter Signup
Stay informed with the
NEW Casino City Times newsletter! |
Gaming News
Nebraska Gambling Promoters try to Save Initiative11 September 2002LINCOLN, Nebraska – As reported by the Associated Press: "Organizers of an effort to legalize video slot machines in Nebraska have launched a two-pronged legal attack to get the issue on the Nov. 5 ballot. "Lancaster County District Judge Paul Merritt Jr. ruled Monday that the petition initiative cannot appear on the ballot because it violates a 1998 constitutional amendment limiting initiatives to one subject. "Attorneys for the initiative's backers, the Committee for Local Control, have asked Merritt to put his ruling on hold so they can proceed with an appeal. "…Merritt is expected to rule on the request Thursday. "Meanwhile, the group has appealed Merritt's decision to the Nebraska Court of Appeals, which has not said whether it would hear the case. "…The state's ballot must be certified Friday and counties must print their absentee ballots by Sept. 30, Secretary of State John Gale said. "…In his ruling, Merritt said components of the initiative -- which include prohibiting the Legislature from authorizing any form of competing gambling and requiring that at least 7 percent of the net proceeds be used for charitable grants -- violated the state's one-subject rule for initiatives. "…Proponents argued that the initiative was one cohesive package that would authorize expanded gaming, specify its regulation and distribution of the money raised. "…The initiative would change the state's constitution to allow video slot machines in bars, restaurants, race tracks and keno parlors, and in designated video slot parlors located within 20 miles of any community in a neighboring state that already has video gambling." |