By T.W. Budig
ECM capitol reporter

A bill requiring voter approval of expansion of gambling at the Columbus Township harness track has been introduced at the Capitol.
Rep. Ray Vandeveer, R-Forest Lake, argues his bill is necessary because the Legislature could pass legislation this session opening the door to further gambling at the harness track or other locations.

Itís his understanding, explained Vandeveer, whatever gambling expansion potentials the Legislature grants to facility license holders, the holders can pursue without local consent.

ìBecause of all the discussion of gaming down here, we donít know whatís going to surface in the end,î said Vandeveer. ìWe just want the people to be able to decide if that facility will expand into other types of gambling,î he said.

The proposed referendum would not affected the harness track as currently envisioned, Vandeveer explained.
He presented his bill along with Rep. Ann Lenczewski, DFL-Bloomington, on Wednesday (Feb. 23) in the House Gaming Division.
Lenczewski, concerned about a casino being located at the Mall of America, is proposing a nearly identical bill as Vandeveer. ìI think we should not pretend we know whatís going on,î she said of the many gambling proposals bubbling within the state.

Vandeveer, speaking after Wednesdayís hearing, said he would expect Gov. Pawlenty to support the referendum proposal. The companion legislation in being carried by Sen. Michele Bachmann, R-Stillwater, in the Senate.

Former state representative Bill Haas, of Champlin, who now works as a lobbyist for the three Northern Minnesota Indian tribes seeking a metro casino, said the referendum proposal has some merit.

Indeed, the legislation is a reaction to the White Earth, Red Lake and Leech Lake tribesí proposal for a metro casino, he believes.
The three tribes have no intention of forcing a casino on anyone, said Haas.

ìWeíre not going to a city and saying, ëThis is where weíre going to build,íî he said.

Indeed, the tribes have received inquiries from metro cities concerning possible casino location, Haas explained. ìAll of the sudden, youíre going to see cities competing,î said Haas.

Vandeveerís bill now awaits possible inclusion into the House gambling bill.

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