tax relief

[Cjsnightclub@aol.com]

Visioneers

Our state, city and counties have all been looking for other resources of dollars. As an example, our school district. They just keep raising our property taxes. All this is going to come to roost and cause many people to lose their homes and businesses. I think it is high time that the citizens of the state, all of us, wake up and stop looking the other way and take advantage of some of the things that are already in the market place. Stop giving the tax-free entities a monopoly over us. Are you aware that throughout our entire state over 50% of the bars, cocktail lounges and clubs operate eight-line machines. An eight-line machine is basically a slot machine. The machine has the wonderful words "for amusement only" on it but if you are a regular or a local and one that they know, that eight line machine pays off just like a slot machine. 

I am aware that in the 40's and 50's, Idaho's economy was one of the strongest in the country. Were you aware that one of the last years before gambling was outlawed, thanks to the Las Vegas and Nevada push, our tax revenue just from the gambling side was quite substantial. I would really like to see the strength of our economy turn to those 1950's. Wouldn't you? And it can. What I propose is the state constitution to allow slot machine play in our state, but each county can vote on whether it is to be there. The opposing parties to allow slot machine play are the Indian tribes who have the monopoly and pay no taxes and give small donations. If you think a million dollars donated to our school district from an Indian tribe is large, you are being fooled. You still have the Las Vegas contingency, you have the state of Montana and Washington and Oregon. 

The faction in our state that is against gambling has its concerns over our citizens loosing their life savings in the casinos and becoming a welfare burden to the state. Don't you think this already takes place? The only difference is all of their money is being lost at the Indian Tribes, Washington, Oregon, Montana and Nevada. The only difference is our gambling dollars leave our state to be the benefactor of other states. We are left with the burden of helping these people with their addiction to gambling and loss of their homes and being on our welfare roll and yet we get none of the revenue that they spent. The other states get it, but not the burden. I think it is high time to stop allowing our resources to be drained into other tax coffers and pockets that pay no tax.

Are you aware that a new card room will be opening up in Pullman with multiple card games? There goes some more of our money. Are you also aware, according to The Argonaut, Tuesday, October 8th, page six, there is an add that says, "Fabulous Las Vegas Nevada. January 3rd-13, 2003; alternative winter break. Info session: October 9th. 6: PM. Crescent room, commons. Applications available in the ASUI office, 3rd floor. Commons." You tell me the Las Vegas contingent isn't alive and well in our community. Also, the Clearwater Casino Nez Perce tribal gaming spends over $4,000.00 per month hitting our small community via radio and newsprint. Soliciting us to go deposit our money in their tax free environment. Do you honestly think they are not getting a good return on their investment? I wish I could afford to do the expansion projects that they have slated.

Isn't it time we start to level the playing field?

PROPOSAL:
#1: All gambling taxes stay in the county and city that generate them for their benefit.

#2: The State should regulate every machine per sq. ft. Example: one machine per 500 sq.  Ft. so they don't end up as a full-blown casino. Just machines for recreation. This should make the Indians happy. The sq. footage should not encompass hotel rooms, restaurant areas, and banquet facilities only actual area used for entertainment for adults.

#3: There should be a gambling tax per machine example: $500.00 per machine per year.  Income tax revenue will be received on the gaming.

#4: All establishments that have slot machines minimum age should be 21. 

#5: 20% of the gambling tax per machine should go into a statewide fund to help those that are addicted to gambling and their families.

#6: The balance of the gambling taxes to be used to lower property taxes in the counties and cities that support slots and all remaining tax dollars stay local.

#7: Slot machine licensees must pass background checks and be fingerprinted. Similar rules to obtaining a liquor license. There can even be a fee for this license as well.

Let's wake up and stop the fleecing of our states wealth. Let's keep it at home. 

Phil Roderick