Oklahoma Democrats push new gaming vote plan

Wednesday, May 5th 2004, 5:14 pm

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- Democratic leaders said Wednesday they would seek a Nov. 2 vote on a new state tribal gaming act that would repeal a bill currently under challenge by anti-gambling activists.

Senate President Pro Tem Cal Hobson and House Speaker Larry Adair said it is vital to avoid a long delay in a public vote on the issue that could imperil millions of dollars in education funding.

"We want to get this to a vote of the people this year and give the largest number of Oklahomans the opportunity to be heard," said Hobson, D-Lexington.

Rep. Forrest Claunch, R-Midwest City, said he welcomed a November vote on the issue.

"This makes it easier for us. We're not opposed to having it in November," he said.

Claunch is chairman of Citizens for Good Government, which has been collecting signatures in a bid for a state vote to overturn Senate Bill 553.

That bill, which was signed in March by Gov. Brad Henry, allows pari-mutuel horse racing tracks in Oklahoma to operate electronic gaming machines now played only at Indian casinos.

The law also sets up a model gaming compact with the tribes and allows the state regulatory authority over tribal casinos for the first time.

It would raise an estimated $71 million a year, which would be dedicated to public schools and college scholarships. Next year's funding has been delayed because of the referendum petition drive spearheaded by Claunch.

Claunch said his group could now concentrate on raising money and building opposition to the gaming plan, instead of just collecting signatures.

"Now we don't have to worry about signatures being kicked out or the petition being deficient someplace," he said.

Hobson and Adair said new language from a trailer bill would be incorporated into the gaming act to be sent to a vote of the people.

It will include money to deal with gambling addicts and will allow games at Remington Park in Oklahoma City to be increased over a five-year period, he said.

Gov. Brad Henry said the decision by legislative leaders made common sense.

"Experience tells us the petition process could have tied up this question for many months or even years, unnecessarily delaying much-needed funding for education, the economic recovery of the Oklahoma horse racing industry and regulation of growing tribal gaming operations," he said.

Henry was the prime mover behind the original gaming bill, saying it was needed to save thousands of jobs and keep the pari-mutuel tracks afloat.

Claunch was among a large group of Republican lawmakers who fought the bill, saying it would bring more crime to Oklahoma and increase the state's social problems.