Journal Record, The (Oklahoma City): Group claims OK gambling proponents 'misleading'

The chairman of Oklahomans for Good Government, the statewide nonpartisan organization opposed to State Questions 705, 706, and 712, said that the proponents of expanded government-sponsored gambling, including Gov. Brad Henry's surrogates, are misleading the public by claiming that gambling money will save education and cannot be diverted to other expenditures.

Since Governor Henry refuses to engage in public debates, he's denied the people of Oklahoma an opportunity to hear why he believes expanded gambling is positive for Oklahoma, said State Rep. Forrest Claunch, R-Midwest City. Let's not forget he has made expanded gambling the cornerstone issue of his administration. The negatives, which are always a part of expanding gambling, and undeniable, should be a part of the debate but will not be advanced by the governor or his surrogates.

Phil Bacharach, press secretary for Henry, said the governor has spoken often on the reasons he supports the lottery and gaming initiatives.

Governor Henry is a strong advocate of an education lottery because it will provide critical funding for our classrooms and teacher pay. With all due respect to Representative Claunch, the governor has been anything but silent on the education lottery and his reasons for supporting it, Bacharach said. It's disappointing that foes of SQ 705 and 706 continue to offer only complaints without proposing an alternative to provide desperately needed education dollars.

Claunch said the creation of a state lottery and the expansion of casino gambling that would be authorized by the passage of State Questions 705, 706 and 712 would ensure an exodus of Oklahoma dollars to out-of-state entities.

The truth is state questions 705, 706 and 712 will enrich gambling companies, line the pockets of out-of-state gaming machine manufacturers, and put Oklahoma education at risk as people refuse to support bond issues and good ideas for stable, future revenue streams for education; after all, they are being sold as 'the savior' of education, Claunch said. When government sponsors gambling it promotes the idea that people losing billions of dollars enriches the state. It's as simple as that. It's not about helping children or saving jobs in the horse industry. It's about money and greed.

As long as Governor Henry continues to refuse public debates and as long as his surrogates and proponents continue to mislead the public, the citizens of Oklahoma will continue to be denied the truth. That's unfortunate but it's understandable when presented with the real facts. Oklahoma voters deserve to know the truth about these state questions. It's too bad Governor Henry won't give it to them.