OCR Text |
Show Arguments For Initiative A gives the people of each county the right to approve or reject pari-mutwagering at horse races held in their county by a simple majority vote. It does not authorize wagering anywhere. It just allows the people of each county to decide for themselves the social and economic benefits of horse racing in their own community. Lotteries and all other forms of gambling remain strictly prohibited under the Utah Constitution. Utah Criminal Code, and express terms of Initiative A. Initiative A also establishes a properly-regulat- ed state racing program. It creates a Utah Horse Racing Commission to license and regulate horse racing throughout the w agering in any county that approv es it. state and Orluff Opheikens, Chairman 1025 East 21(H) North North Ogden. Utah 84414 uel pari-mut- uel David Freston. Vice Chairman 3318 West 1975 North Plain City. Utah 84404 pari-mut- uel Rebuttal To pari-mut- uel w Arguments For Initiative ithout cost to the taxpayers. By establishing a A Vague Promises Are Not F.nough Parimutuel proponents have based their campaign on vague generalities. The title of Initiative A says parimutuel gambling will "promote freedom of choice, support education. further economic development, and reduce taxes in the state of Utah." None of these promises stands up toeven curso- horse racing program, Initiative A helps over 30,000 Utah horse breeding families to stay in Utah, where horse breeding has been a mainstay of our rural economy for almost 150years.lt preserves and encourages a healthful, family oriented industry that is an integral part of Utah's western heritage. The economic benefits of the initiative are not limited tothehorseindustry.lt will also promote economic development. generate new recreational and tourist business, and keep recreational dollars and public revenues that Utahns are now spending in neighboring states at home. Horse breeding and horse racing creates jobs in the hotel, restaurant, serv ice station. retail, entertainment, transportation and agricultural industries as well as the horse industry. The result is increased employ ment, increased tourism, increased sales tax. gasoline tax and income lax, and u new source of voluntary revenues to reduce the burden of county taxes and bolster our state educational system. Quality horse racing is a lot of fun; it is the world's number one spectator sport. Whether to attend, and whether to place a bet. are individual decisions for those over 2 . No one under 2 may wager. (Jiving the people of each county the right to determine this important economic issue w ill not open the door to lotteries or other forms of gambling. Utah's founding fathers understood the difference between horse race wagering, w hich has alw ays been recognized as a game ol skill, and lotteries and other forms of gambling, which are based entirely on chance. The Utah Constitution, the Utah Criminal Code, and the express terms of Initiative A strictly prohibit lotteries and all other forms of gambling. If Initiative A passes, Indian tribes on reservations in Utah will have the same, but no greater, right as a county to approve or reject pari-mutwagering at horse races horse held on their reserv at ions. If they approv e between under a it be will compact strictly regulated racing, well-regula- ted ry scrutiny. Utahns Will Choose on November 3rd Every Utah citizen can decide if gambling is a good policy for Utah by voting for or against Initiative A. Passage of the initiative is not essential to preserv ing state-authori- zed choice. No Significant Level of Support for Education The Utah Foundation has found that the greatest addition parimutuel could make to education funding would be 5HX) of one percent of the current budget, a truly insignificant con- tribution. No Enhancements of Jobs or Economic Development Horse betting w on't spur business expansion, create jobs, or enhance Utah family income. Economist Thayne Robson says, bluntly, that parimutuel betting is "not an economic de- velopment issue." Parimutuel Will Increase Taxes Utah horse gambling w ill shift the cost of a racing commission to state taxpayers, burden counties with the cost of subsidizing tracks, and force citizens to bear the financial effects of costly litigation. Faulty Promises, Significant Burdens There is no evidence that parimutuel betting would be a boon for Utah. Indeed, it is patently unfair to shift the expenses of horse industry gambling onto the backs of Utah families. uel pari-mut- uel the tribe and the state. A vote FOR Initiative A will give all Utahns the right to govern their ow n communities and make their ow n decisions while bringing substantial benefits to the entire state. Vote for the right to vote by voting FOR Initiative A. Dr. TIL Bell Former U.S. Secretary of Education 88 East Edgecombe Drive Salt Lake City. Utah 84103 Citizens to Put Utah First 933 Wall Avenue Ogden. Utah 84404 29 |