FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                  CONTACT: PAT LOONTJER

FEBRUARY 15, 2003                                           (402) 598-7227

 

Despite Casinos, C.B. Mayor Wants Another Tax Increase

 

Omaha, Nebr. – Pat Loontjer, executive director of Gambling With the Good Life, noted today that despite three casinos in Council Bluffs, Mayor Tom Hanafan is calling for another property tax increase to balance his city budget.*

 

“Those advocating casinos and other forms of expanded gambling in Nebraska need to take a long, hard look at what is really happening across the river,” Loontjer said. “We continually hear that casinos will reduce taxes. That’s nonsense, and Mayor Hanafan’s request for another tax increase proves it.”

 

In a February 14 article, The Daily Nonpareil reports that Hanafan is calling for a 5.3 percent increase in Council Bluffs property taxes. The article also reports that Hanafan wants $800,000 in gambling money transferred into city coffers in order to keep city workers’ health insurance program afloat.

 

“Council Bluffs has become addicted to gambling money,” Loontjer said, “just like every other city that has let this cancer into its midst. But it’s never enough, because studies show that for every dollar of revenue collected from gambling, the community spends three dollars in social costs. Now, I’m no rocket scientist, but I know that’s a losing proposition.”

 

The General Affairs Committee of the Nebraska Legislature currently is considering a number of resolutions to amend the state constitution in order to allow casino gambling in the Cornhusker State. Loontjer called on state senators to look at what is happening just across the Missouri River.

 

“We can have ‘The Good Life’ or the gambling life,” she said. “We can’t have both.”

 

*Hanafan proposes 'most difficult' city budget yet (The Daily Nonpareil, 2/14/03)

http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=7055658&BRD=2554&PAG=461&dept_id=507134&rfi=6

 
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