I agree with the sentiment that you shouldn't solve our fiscal problems with something like gambling. Especially, if your main reason is to eliminate the need to raise taxes. That said, I suggested to then Senator Kelly, Mayor Coleman and the leaders of the House and Senate that they could build a baseball stadium in St. Paul, develop the river front, increase downtown parking by building a casino on the River flats next to the stadium. If I remember correctly, I suggested that in order for this to work all tribes currently operating gambling operations would have to be given the opportunity to participate. Their participation would be at the percentage of total tribe gambling revenues. The tribes would build the new stadium to the needs of baseball and the casino to suit their needs. Profits from gambling operation would be split as follows: 10% to the city for infrastructure; 45% to the tribes to be split based on the percentage they contributed to the development; and 45% to pay off construction costs for the stadium and then to the city for dedicated use. I though this was a great solution to the stadium problem. However, I do not see this as a solution to the self imposed revenue problem created by "No new Taxes" pledges. While I am at it, I also need to say the governor's budget proposal sure places a greater cost on those who can least afford it. Even the proposal to use property taxes to solve the problems with education funding is going to cost those least able to afford it. We are in this mess because, the Tax Payers League convinced Jesse and the Republican majority in the House to give back surpluses and re-write our tax code. They did this when all economic indicators showed the economy was slowing. We have operated governments in Minnesota by robbing Peter to pay Paul and its now time to pay the piper. Mike Fratto Payne Phalen
>>> "Dave Thune" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> 01/25/2005 11:30:03 PM >>> The idea that it takes a casino to balance the city budget is a solution in search of a problem which will only generate more problems. While we have not seen anything specific there is no doubt that this concept is being discussed seriously at high levels. This is a wrong headed idea on so many levels that it should be d.o.a. dave thune city councilmember, st. paul >>> Eva Young <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> 01/25/05 10:12 PM >>> Gov. Tim Pawlenty has made no secret of his desire to find a way to tap in to casino gambling money, and it seems St. Paul Mayor Randy Kelly wants a piece of the pie, too. But how aggressively Kelly is going after it is a matter of intense speculation as Pawlenty prepares to announce his budget plan today. "It's not a secret that for the last three years there have been discussions about bringing some form of gambling to St. Paul, whether that comes in the form of a card room, a riverboat or an actual casino," said St. Paul Deputy Mayor Dennis Flaherty. But Flaherty said firmly on Monday that no formal gaming proposal exists and none has been "vetted" through any process. But Kelly clearly is interested in bringing gambling to St. Paul. "The mayor would view a proposal such as that as an economic development proposal," Flaherty said, "and I think he would look at it as an entertainment venue." Council President Kathy Lantry said she is appalled by the notion. "My initial reaction to gambling in downtown St. Paul is a big fat 'No,' " she said. "It just doesn't seem like the image we've worked so hard to build of St. Paul as a historic, family-friendly town." http://www.startribune.com/stories/462/5203236.html This running government on gambling $ is just bizzarre. ===== Eva Young Near North Minneapolis Blogs: http://lloydletta.blogspot.com http://www.outletradio.com _____________________________________________ To Join: St. Paul Issues Forum Rules Discussion Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] ____________________________________________ NEW ADDRESS FOR LIST: [email protected] To subscribe, modify subscription, or get your password - visit: http://www.mnforum.org/mailman/listinfo/stpaul Archive Address: http://www.mnforum.org/mailman/private/stpaul/ _____________________________________________ To Join: St. Paul Issues Forum Rules Discussion Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] ____________________________________________ NEW ADDRESS FOR LIST: [email protected] To subscribe, modify subscription, or get your password - visit: http://www.mnforum.org/mailman/listinfo/stpaul Archive Address: http://www.mnforum.org/mailman/private/stpaul/ _____________________________________________ To Join: St. Paul Issues Forum Rules Discussion Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] ____________________________________________ NEW ADDRESS FOR LIST: [email protected] To subscribe, modify subscription, or get your password - visit: http://www.mnforum.org/mailman/listinfo/stpaul Archive Address: http://www.mnforum.org/mailman/private/stpaul/
