Jackpot or bust? The move to build Oregon's first private casino.
On Nov. 6, Oregon voters must decide whether to amend Oregon's constitution and state law to allow the construction of a private casino on the site of the defunct Multnomah Kennel Club. Measure 82 would amend the constitution to permit private casinos, while Measure 83 would set up the approval process. The businessmen and financial backers - which include Canadian gaming giant Clairvest - say the casino would create 2,000 new jobs and generate $100 million annually for Oregon schools and other public services. Opponents say the project is a loser. Native American tribes say the casino would hurt their own gaming operations, an important source of revenue for tribal social services. A new report by the Legislative Revenue Office says the project would cause Oregon's economy to shrink through a combination of loss lottery revenue and transfer of money to out-of-state investors. Lost in the campaign rhetoric so far is the bigger question of state-sanctioned gambling as a revenue source.
Join Jo Ann and Dave tomorrow as they look at the pros and cons of building Oregon's first private casino.
Jo Ann Hardesty is a former state legislator, former director of Oregon Action and past board president of Portland Community Media, as well as a long-time leader in the struggle for racial and economic justice. Dave Mazza is a journalist and former editor of The Portland Alliance who has covered and been involved in Portland's civil rights, environmental, labor and peace movements for over 20 years.
Join Jo Ann and Dave every Thursday as they bring you guests and conversations on issues that are important to you. Support Voices from the Edge by becoming a KBOO member (just click the "donation jar" in the upper right-hand corner on KBOO's homepage to find out how) or consider becoming an underwriter of this program (contact KBOO's underwriting director for details).
Special Note: For Voices from the Edge listeners who are fans of Greg Palast, the award-winning journalist is coming to the Clinton Street Theater on September 26 to talk about his new book, Billionaires and Ballot Bandits. The event is a benefit for KBOO.
Co-Hosts: Jo Ann Hardesty and Dave Mazza
Producers: Dave Mazza and Jo Ann Hardesty
Program Engineer: Steve Nassar
Audio Editor: Alicia Olson