More legislators should care what public thinks on gaming

Rep. Dale Swenson (in photo), R-Wichita, stopped by the other day to show us what he did with some of the $3,175 in campaign contributions he received from gambling interests — sent out a questionnaire to 5,000 constituents on a range of issues. The responses on the 500 he got back were pretty much what he expected from his working-class southwest Wichita district, with one exception: 68 percent said they would support expanded gambling. When Swenson last polled his district, upon his election 12 years ago, more than 60 percent of those who responded wanted no more gambling, and some added a note advocating that the lottery be abolished.
Of course, the needle may be moving on this issue among the public, as more people gamble at tribal and out-of-state casinos, but most of those in the Legislature still couldn’t care less.
Posted by Rhonda Holman

3 Comments

  1. Outlander
    Posted April 16, 2006 at 12:48 pm | Permalink

    WALMART ANNOUNCES SAME DAY SURGERY CENTERS IN SELECTED SUPERSTORES

    Walmart spokesperson Walter Walker stated that, “Our customers can spend their time more efficiently by shopping instead of hanging around the waiting room. And employees get 20% off. It’s our little part to help ease the health care crisis. “

  2. Outlander
    Posted April 16, 2006 at 12:50 pm | Permalink

    Well isn’t that embarrasing! I’ll re-post in the proper place.

  3. brown
    Posted April 16, 2006 at 8:59 pm | Permalink

    I wouldn’t count on anything very fast on this. I’ve always had this impression that other than our vote, our legislators don’t want anything from us. They have their own ideas, thankyouverymuch.