Pawlenty says racino doesn’t have enough legislative support

On his weekly radio show this morning, Gov. Tim Pawlenty said the racino proposal is stalled by both the right and left wings of the ideological spectrum among state legislators.

“While the public may support it, it’s clear the Legislature does not,” said Pawlenty, during his hour-long show on WCCO-AM.

Pawlenty said there’s no support in the middle to counteract the opposition in both parties.

Pawlenty’s statements on the racino are a blow to Sen. Dick Day, R-Owatonna, who has announced he’s resigning his seat to lobby in favor of the racino. In taking a job at Racino Now, Day said he had been told Pawlenty was a supporter of the current racino effort. Pawlenty has reportedly said he doesn’t know what Day is talking about.

Racino Now wants state lawmakers to allow slot machines at two horse racing venues: Running Aces in Columbus and Canterbury Downs in Shakopee.

The racino is controversial because it might compete with gaming operations of American Indian tribes in Minnesota, who are major campaign contributors to DFLers. Some Republicans have also differed with Day about gambling on moral grounds.

One Response to “Pawlenty says racino doesn’t have enough legislative support”

1. salpaulsen Says:
   December 22nd, 2009 at 12:01 am

   Immoral are the legislators whose campaign coffers are stuffed by the tribal casino lobby. Those same legislators who failed to create significant sources of revenue to balance the budget. Huh, revenue such as more than $125 million per year from racinos.

   The public supports it Mr. Pawlenty? The same public who voted in the legislators? The same public sold out and in debt by legislators who accept special interest monies?

   Keep it up - the Independence Party looks better and better all the time.