Greasing the skids to get the gambling referendum approved

What do you think? Any hint of corruption here?

First, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo makes gambling a major plank in his plans for the state economy. He wants another seven big casinos. Several of them will be located Upstate.

This despite the unsavory aspects of casinos. Lots of studies in lots of states tell us crime follows casinos — to the communities in which they locate. They indicate that real economic development does not. They tell us taxes do not end up going down in the regions where casinos locate.

The studies also indicate that casinos prey on addicts. They get most of their profits from them.

Nonetheless, the governor and various politicians are convinced more gambling is good for the state’s economic development. (And please don’t call it “gaming.” That is a moniker dreamed up by PR geniuses.)

There is a lot of money in that “nonetheless.” More than $3 million — that we know about. Gambling interests contributed $361,000 to the governor’s campaign coffers. They contributed $400,000 to the state Republicans’ war chest. And, $415,000 to the Democrats. And, the gambling guys did not overlook the tiny Independents — who vote with the Republicans in the legislature. They stuffed their pockets with $52,000.

Gambling interests dealt out $50,000 dollops to various leaders in the state Senate and Assembly. They poured more into the coffers of the lawmakers who sit on the racing and gambling committees. They even gave $130,000 to the state attorney general. And they spread more money over various other politicians.

This is all part of greasing the skids for this “economic development” that the governor and politicians just happen to support.

After the bucks came in, the governor and the politicians created a curious referendum on these casinos — for you to vote on Nov. 5. The wording is what makes it peculiar — and insulting.

Normally, the wording of a referendum is cold and objective. It is supposed to frame the question in an even-handed way. It is not supposed to tip the scales in one direction or another. Ah, but this referendum’s wording is not so objective. In fact, it ain’t even close.

The governor and legislative leaders changed that wording to make the casinos sound like Disneyworld.

Here it is: “The proposed amendment to section 9 of article 1 of the Constitution would allow the Legislature to authorize up to seven casinos in New York State for the legislated purposes of promoting job growth, increasing aid to schools, and permitting local governments to lower property taxes through revenues generated. Shall the amendment be approved?”

See. The wording suggests the casinos will bring nothing but jobs and lower taxes as well as money for schools. Wonderful, wonderful — we should have one in every community. The wording says nothing about the social ills associated with casinos.

Now, why did these people change the wording? Why have so many of them gotten behind this push for more gambling — knowing the social ills likely to arrive in the wake of the casinos? Why? It wouldn’t have anything to do with the more than $3 million they took in from the gambling guys, would it?

It is not possible they sweetened the wording in exchange for the money, is it? A little quid pro quo?

What do you think? Does money buy preferential treatment in Albany? My guess is that you can bet on it.

From Tom...as in Morgan

Tom Morgan writes about political, financial, and other subjects from his home near Oneonta, in addition to his radio shows and new TV show. For more information about him, visit his website at www.tomasinmorgan.com