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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEMarch 13, 2003 Contact: David Leslie, (503) 221-1054 or (503) 502-0764 cellulardleslie@emoregon.org
Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon opposes efforts to expand gambling in Oregon
Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon’s (EMO) executive committee passed a resolution today that reaffirmed its longstanding opposition to legalized gambling in light of Gov. Ted Kulongoski’s recent rejection of a proposal to build a casino in Portland and pending legislation in the Oregon Legislature. The executive committee urged state legislators and the governor to pursue policies that reduce the state’s reliance on revenue derived from the lottery, video poker and other gaming sources. “Oregon is addicted to gambling. While the state expands its advertising and marketing of the lottery and develops new schemes to entice Oregonians to gamble, it continues to fail to address the needs of vulnerable Oregonians with the development of a more stable tax structure,” said David Leslie, EMO executive director. “Without reducing our reliance on gaming revenue, we will continue to gamble with Oregon’s future – a gamble we are sure to lose.” EMO warned that the construction of a casino in Portland could spur the rush to build casinos throughout the state. Leslie explained, “Our leadership is concerned that if a casino is approved for Portland, a precedence to allow casinos to be built in other parts of the state will follow. There is already a bill (HJR 36) introduced in the Oregon Legislature to give it the power to authorize new casinos.” Leslie continued, “There is a human impact that gambling addiction has in our society. Gambling addiction is destructive to families, individuals, and local communities. To make gambling more accessible statewide sends the wrong image about Oregon. And to rely on gambling revenues as a way to pay for the basic services our state needs is the wrong way to do business and inappropriate as an economic development tool." Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon is a statewide association of 17 Christian denominations including Protestant, Roman Catholic and Orthodox bodies working together to improve the lives of Oregonians through theological education and dialogue, public policy advocacy and community ministry programs. - 30 - |
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