82 and 83: not worth the risk

THAT’S WHAT’S THE MATTER
By Kevin Rackham

With the attention the presidential race and Measure 80 have received, a lot of Oregon politics have slipped through the cracks, initiatives in particular.

Oregonians have a couple of big measures on the ballot this year, and two of them could have major consequences for the state’s economy.

Measure 82 would legalize privately owned casinos in Oregon, while Measure 83 would specifically legalize one in Multnomah County. For 83 to go into effect, 82 would have to pass as well. Measure 83 claims to be able to bring in millions of dollars of revenue for Oregon. But, if passed, it would only damage our economy.

Oregon’s economy is sadly dependent on gambling for revenue. Not as much as somewhere like Nevada or New Jersey, but the state lottery has provided about $8 billion for things like education and economic development since its inception. The lottery generates about $500 million every year.

In theory this measure would mean increased revenue for the state, because 25 percent of gross income from the proposed casino (to be called “The Grange”) would go to a state fund. But it’s not like a new throng of people will come to Oregon and gamble.
According to a report issued by the state Legislative Revenue Office, the casino would cut into lottery revenue, meaning the state would actually be losing money from this measure.

Backers point out that it wouldn’t be merely a casino. The Grange would also include a water park and a concert venue. It might be more attractive, but a water park in Multnomah County will only be used two months out of the year. That’s a simple fact of weather.

A concert venue is also pretty low on the list of things the Portland area needs. We already have the Rose Garden arena, multiple McMenamins venues inside and outside the city, and the Roseland Theater as well as dozens of smaller theaters and halls.

The Grange has very little to offer besides gambling.

The idea of privately owned casinos doesn’t bother me, but passing the measure here and now is stupid, given how badly Oregon needs to fund economic development and education.

If the state weren’t in such a bad financial situation, the idea of a privately owned casino might be worth considering, if and only if it could attract out-of-state gamblers or deter people from gambling in other states.

Gambling is a necessary evil; I don’t have a problem with exploiting it. But we shouldn’t be encouraging more Oregonians to do it.

Governor John Kitzhaber also claimed that The Grange’s primary investments come from out-of-state interests. If this were verifiably true, it would also be a great reason to vote no on it. Gambling revenue would then be diverted from the state lottery. Not even to a local corporation, but outside the state.

I also oppose this measure on idealistic grounds.

I don’t like corporate interests trying to pass things as initiatives. If a business wants something, they should have to pay a group of lobbyists thousands of dollars and try to get it passed as a normal bill, just like the Koch Brothers do.

Oregon’s initiatives should be free from business interests and actually based on things citizens want and propose themselves.

I don’t oppose gambling, but I oppose The Grange. It doesn’t have enough benefits for the state, and I don’t trust the intentions of its backers. Oregon could use some new entertainment and attractions, but this one isn’t right for us.