The House Agriculture Committee changed HB12-1280 today, but they did not "fix" the measure, as far as Protect Our Neighborhoods (PON) is concerned. We opposed the bill in its original form because it ignored the constitutional requirements for both a statewide and a local vote before casino gaming can be expanded. Those concerns were not addressed in the House Agriculture Committee amendments.
The proponents of HB12-1280 want us to believe that they now only want one casino on the Western Slope, rather than six casinos located all over Colorado, as called for in their original bill. We doubt they will be satisfied with one casino in a relatively small market. If they are allowed to usurp the constitution this year, does anyone doubt that they'll be back in future years pushing for additional casinos in larger markets on the Front Range?
The measure will be considered next in the House Appropriations Committee. PON urges all Coloradans who care about the integrity of our Constitution and principle of local control to contact Appropriations Committee members and urge them to oppose HB12-1280.
HOUSE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE
Chair, Jon Becker (Adams +) jon.becker.house@state.co.us
Vice- Chair, Cheri Gerou (Jefferson) cheri.gerou@gmail.com
Members:
Jerry Sonnenberg (Bill Sponsor, Logan/Weld+) jerry.sonnenberg.house@state.co.us
Glenn Vaad (Weld) glenn.vaad.house@state.co.us
Marsha Looper (El Paso) marsha.looper.house@state.co.us
Brian Delgrosso (Larimer) brian@briandelgrosso.com
Mark Ferrandino (Denver)mferrandino@yahoo.com
Bob Gardner (El Paso/Fremont) bob.gardner.house@state.co.us
Deb Gardner (Boulder) deb.gardner.house@state.co.us
Dickey Lee Hullinghorst (Boulder) dl.hullinghorst.house@state.co.us
Andy Kerr (Jefferson) andy.kerr.house@state.co.us
Dan Pabon (Denver) dan.pabon.house@state.co.us
Judy Solano (Adams) judy.solano.house@state.co.us
