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Tennessee Moving to Legalize Gambling31 January 2001NASHVILLE, Tennessee – Jan. 31, 2001 – As reported by the Associated Press: ``Sen. Steve Cohen has pushed for a lottery in Tennessee for 16 years but has never before gotten a lottery resolution out of committee so fast. ``The Senate Judiciary Committee, with three new members all favoring a state lottery, approved the resolution 7-2 Tuesday on the Legislature's first official day of committee business this session. ``There was no debate -- only assurances from Cohen that the legislation would not open the door to casinos in Tennessee. ``Supporters believe the lottery resolution has its best chance ever for passage. ``It now goes to the Senate Calendar Committee, and Cohen hopes to schedule a vote on the Senate floor before Valentine's Day. ``…If both chambers pass the resolution, the question goes on the ballot for the 2002 gubernatorial election. It would have to win a majority of the votes cast for governor. ``…All eight states bordering Tennessee have some form of legalized gambling -- four with state lotteries. ``Lottery supporters have long complained that Tennessee was losing revenue to bordering states, and a 1997 study estimated a lottery could generate net proceeds of more than $302 million…" |