State Sen. Senator Brandon Beach, R-Alpharetta, has dropped two resolutions for constitutional amendments praised by destination resort gaming proponents but have others, such as religious-oriented groups, on edge.
On Friday Beach filed SR 184 which calls for a constitutional amendment that would allow for casino gaming at a limited number of destination resorts across the state. The resolution states that monies from the casinos be used for “educational programs and educational purposes” and goes on to say revenues and proceeds shall be used to “supplement, not supplant, non-casino gaming educational resources…”
According to the resolution, these “educational programs and educational purposes” shall include only tuition grants, scholarships or loans to Georgia residents to enable them to attend colleges and universities within the state — tying some of the funding to the HOPE college scholarship program.
As proposed, the amendment would read, “Shall the Constitution of Georgia be amended so as to preserve the long-term financial stability of the HOPE scholarship program and to support other scholarship programs through next tax and licensing revenues generated by permitting the establishment of licensed destination resort facilities where casino gaming is permitted?”
On Tuesday, though, Faith and Freedom Coalition of Georgia lobbyist Virginia Galloway said her organization is “totally against” this proposal. “It goes back to the ABCs,” said Galloway. “Addiction, Bankruptcy and Crime. All three are linked to casino gambling and we stand ready to do whatever needs to be done to ensure our state isn’t degraded in this way. It’s time to be vigilant.”
Beach is also behind the push for legislation that would allow pari-mutuel horse racing in the state for a handful of licensed equestrian centers approved by a newly-created Commission. Beach, joined by several Republicans and Democrats, recently dropped Senate Bill 45 that creates the Georgia Horse Racing Commission. It would report to the General Assembly and would allow for wagering on horse races.
The bill has been assigned to the Senate Economic Development and Tourism Committee and is accompanied by a constitutional amendment – SR 84 – which means it would have to be approved by voters. Both are on the calendar to be heard today in committee.
SB 45 requires a portion of the pari-mutuel pools wagering money earned, at a cap of 5 percent, to be set aside for:
* education, health care needs, and rural development
* breeding incentives from the Georgia Breeders Funds
* state resources for the treatment of problem pari-mutuel wagering issues
* Racing horse retirement
“No doubt, we are also against this,” said Galloway. “For the same reasons.”
“No expenditure of taxpayer money is involved regarding this legislation,” Beach stresses, “and the voters have the ultimate decision after General Assembly passage.’
A constitutional amendment requires two-thirds approval from each chamber of the General Assembly. If it passes, and proponents say sponsors would have to cobble together a bipartisan vote, it would go on the 2020 general election ballot with or without the governor’s signature. As for the casino resort legislation, the political entity where the resort would be located would also have to secure local voter approval.
