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Oregon casino developers want change state
constitution
The Oregon
Constitution currently prohibits nontribal casinos in the
state. Last week the Oregon secretary of state’s office approved titles
for the three ballot measures submitted by Studer and Rossman that
would amend the Constitution and direct the Legislature to authorize a
casino at the closed dog track.
Backers want to put casino on fast track Proposed measures would amend law to allow a nontribal casino to occupy site of former dog-racing park Supporters of the first nontribal casino in the Portland area face a daunting challenge — to collect 100,000-plus valid voter signatures before a July 7 deadline to qualify their three measures for the November election. Bruce Studer and Matt Rossman, Lake Oswego neighbors who want to build a casino at the former Multnomah Greyhound Park in Wood Village, believe they can beat the deadline. They have formed a political action committee called Good for Oregon to place the measures on the ballot. Although the Oregon Supreme Court has yet to consider the wording of their measures, Rossman said he believes the court will approve them before the end of the month, leaving enough time to collect the signatures. “We’re confident we can do it in a month,” said Rossman, a lawyer, who said the paid petition signature gathering company they’ve retained will throw every worker into the task once the court approves the wording. Other experienced signature gatherers think Studer and Rossman will run out of time, however. “They have to pull off a virtual miracle, even with a lot of money,” said Jason Williams, director of Oregon Taxpayers United, who has worked on petition drives in the state for more than 10 years. The Oregon Constitution currently prohibits nontribal casinos in the state. Last week the Oregon secretary of state’s office approved titles for the three ballot measures submitted by Studer and Rossman that would amend the Constitution and direct the Legislature to authorize a casino at the closed dog track. Opponents have until May 16 to appeal the wording to the court, which has the option of quickly considering the case. The measures would not authorize any other nontribal casinos. If the measures make it to the ballot and are approved by voters, Studer estimates a casino in Wood Village could generate $200 million in new tax revenue for Oregon annually — money he said would drift across the state line to a planned casino in Washington if the measures are rejected. “It would be the third-largest source of income for the state, behind the income tax and behind the lottery but ahead of corporate income tax,” said Studer, a financial adviser. The Cowlitz Tribe already is planning to open a casino in La Center, Wash., north of Portland on Interstate 5. Studer and Rossman said they believe Portland-area gamblers will go there to spend money if the Wood Village casino is not built. The Klamath Tribe also is considering an off-reservation casino, to be built in the Wilsonville area. That project would have to be approved by the governor. “It’s a battle for benefits,” Studer said. “Whoever establishes their facility first and starts getting the loyal customers is going to create what goes on there.” Follow the money Under Studer and Rossman’s plan, revenue from the Wood Village casino would be divided between education, parks, economic development, habitat improvement, problem gambling and drug abuse in the state’s general fund. Education gets the biggest chunk of that, with 65 percent ticketed for K-12 schools statewide. In exchange for 25 percent of its proceeds, Oregon Gaming and Entertainment would get a single exception to the state’s ban on casinos. The group aims to put up to 3,500 video lottery terminals and more than 150 table games in a mix with other entertainment on the site of the former greyhound track. At 175,000 square feet, the gaming area would be larger than the one in the MGM Grand in Las Vegas — now the fourth-largest casino in the nation. Other planned features include a water park, theater with live shows, cinema, bowling alley, specialty shops, a spa, restaurant and hotel. The total size of the proposed center is close to 1 million square feet. Although the Wood Village City Council hasn’t taken a formal stand on the plan, Mayor David Fuller personally supports it. “If done right, I think the project they’re talking about could be beneficial for the city and the region,” he said. Other elected officials are not so sure, however. Studer and Rossman got a chilly reception when they discussed the idea at a meeting of the East Metro Cities Regional Issues Forum at Gresham City Hall in March. After their presentation, Fairview Mayor Mike Weatherby said he is worried about the increased traffic that will be drawn to a casino, especially along Northeast Halsey and Glisan streets and 207th Avenue. “You can build a freeway for traffic, but what will it do to our community?” Weatherby asked. Social costs at issue Others were more concerned about the social costs associated with a casino. State Rep. John Lim, R-Gresham, worried about increased rates of divorce, suicide and gambling addiction. “It will be more harm done to the community and the state,” Lim said after the presentation. “I don’t think it’s right.” Metro Councilor Rod Park is bothered that the entire state could decide what is best for Wood Village and east Multnomah County. “Even siting a prison has a legislative process,” Park said. Gresham City Councilor Karylinn Echols agreed: “This is a local impact but a statewide decision.” Although the business partners suggested that local mayors and city councilors draft a list of concerns for them to address, Echols wasn’t satisfied with that. Instead, she wants to form a group of east county leaders to study the proposed casino “and perhaps speak as a common voice on the issue.” Lottery looks askance The Oregon State Lottery currently is conducting a study, expected to be released in July, on the potential effects of new casinos. Spokesman Chuck Baumann said casinos historically have drained revenue from state-run video games — the current source of $400 million in state revenues. Portland contributes 53 percent of that money, Baumann said, but he added that it’s unclear whether the Wood Village casino would add revenue to state funds, drain it or simply keep the same Portland dollars in Oregon. If the measures qualify for the ballot, Studer predicts a hard-fought campaign to pass them. Studer said he and Rossman have sought to include tribal members as partners to reduce potential opposition from the tribes that currently operate casinos. Pamplin Media Group reporters Lee van Loo and Mara Stine contributed to this story. Email Jim Redden http://www.portlandtribune.com/archview.cgi?id=35184 |
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