March 26, 2007

Governor uncommitted in veto of slots bill

Bishop leads delegation of church leaders in meeting with Governor on expansion of legalized gambling

INDIANAPOLIS – Indiana United Methodist Bishop Mike Coyner led a delegation of judicatory leaders in opposed to an expansion of legalized gambling and other issues with Governor Mitch Daniels on Monday morning, March 26 at the Governor’s Statehouse office.

Accompanying Coyner were the Rev. Stephen Gray, conference minister, Indiana-Kentucky Conference, The United Church of Christ; Steve and Marlene Pedigo, general superintendents, Western Yearly Meeting of the Society of Friends; the Rev. Richard Spleth, regional minister, The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ); Bishop James R. Stuck, Indiana-Kentucky Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America; Dr. Larry Mason, executive minister of the American Baptist Churches of Indiana and Kentucky; and the Rev. Lorin Clemenz, a retired North Indiana Conference minister and convener of the Indiana Coalition Against Legalized Gambling. Dr. Robert C. Anderson, Interim Executive Presbyter of the Presbytery of Whitewater Valley had planned to be there but was unable to attend because his wife had hand surgery in Philadelphia.

During the 35-minute session the group confronted Daniels with the expansion of legalized gambling with casino expansion, the privatization of the state lottery, the slot machine bill which proposes 1,500 slot machines in each of the two horse race tracks in Indiana and the possibility of legislation to permit up to five electronic gambling devices in bars and restaurants and up to 10 machines in private lodges being amended into existing legislation. Daniels expressed his concern about the ever growing number of illegal cherry master electronic gambling devices found in thousands of locations in bars, restaurants, lodges, truck stops, even coin-operated laundries. He said his administration had made strides in cracking down on illegal gambling, but he needs the help of local governments to rid Indiana of this problem.

Coyner on behalf of the group asked Daniels to veto the slot machine bill if passed by the Senate. At this point, Daniels did not commit himself one way or the other to such a veto. Daniels has openly expressed his opposition to the expansion of legalized gambling in Indiana ever since his campaign.

The group also discussed hand guns being permitted in state parks and the marriage amendment.

Following the meeting with Daniels, Spleth, Gray and Clemenz met with Senator Long, president pro tempore of the State Senate, with the assistance and encouragement of Senator Patricia Miller, a member of Old Bethel United Methodist Church in Indianapolis. The three expressed their opposition to the slot machine bill, which was heard in its second reading in the Senate Monday afternoon. Like Daniels, Long expressed greatest concern with the growing number of illegal cherry masters in use across the state. He also informed the three ministers that Senator Meeks would be introducing legislation to place electronic gambling devices in bars and restaurants as an amendment to HB1510, a bill on charity gaming. He said the bill was up for hearing after the Senate session on Monday.

Editor’s note: Now is the time to take action of HB1835, the slot machine bill that has much support in the Senate. Senator Miller said she is NOT hearing any opposition from United Methodist laity on this bill, which is crucial for her in a struggle to gain support in defeating the bill.

Laity, please make your voice heard against an expansion of legalized gambling by opposing HB1835, the slot machine bill, in Indiana by calling Senator Miller and your own state senator TODAY. The Senate switchboard phone numbers are 800-382-9467 or 317-232-9400.

Senator Miller can be contacted through the switchboard and directly by phoning 317-232-9489 or by e-mail at s32@in.gov. Senator Long can be contacted by calling 317-232-9972 or by e-mail at s16@in.gov.

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