For those of my regular readers who are also members of the Federal Way Chamber of Commerce (hey… it could happen), I urge you to join me tomorrow at the chamber’s “Initiative Forum” luncheon, where Tim Eyman will be defending I-892 against… me.
I’ve had a number of opportunities to debate Tim on the radio, but this is the first time we’ll be doing it face to face. In fact, last time we were in the same room together, Tim wouldn’t even make eye contact with me, so this should be fun.
Assuming he shows up.
And while we’re on the subject, I direct your attention to the editorial in today’s Seattle P-I: “I-892 a sucker’s bet.”
The following quote from the article you suggest for reading is misleading at best:
“Unlike tribal gambling proceeds, which are committed to social and health services, the 65 percent video slots “take” would go to private gambling interests.”
Although this may be true some of the time, it does not qualify. Simply check the historical votes of the Colville Confederated Tribes in reference to $10 million of excess monies brought in from gaming. Instead of being used for the special programs listed above it was simply handed out as a per-capita payments to tribal members. Not trying to say if this is right or wrong on the actions of the tribe, just saying the article reccomended above does not reflect the whole truth.