Proposal To Legalize Poker In Legislative Debate - 2004-02-19
With another big budget deficit looming, state lawmakers are again considering gambling expansion to raise money to avoid increasing taxes or fees. The lingering question is just what Gov. Rod Blagojevich would be willing to accept.
The chairmen of the Legislature's gambling committees on Wednesday offered a repeat of a massive expansion proposal that Blagojevich stymied last spring. The idea faces a long line of obstacles.
Gambling expansion is always a politically sensitive issue, and that's especially true in an election year. Lawmakers are also skittish about debating the idea only to have Blagojevich publicly criticize them again. But a budget that could be more than $2 billion out of balance increases the odds.
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