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Nebraska Farmers Union |
1305
Plum Street • Lincoln, NE 68502 Contact
John Hansen Office: 402-476-8815, Fax: 402-476-8859, Cell: 402-580-8815 |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 25, 2006 Lincoln, Nebraska
NEBRASKA FARMERS UNION OPPOSES INITIATIVE 421
Lincoln, NE. The Nebraska Farmers Union is urging voters to vote NO on Initiative 421 November 7th. Initiative 421 authorizes expanded gambling by expanding the definition of Keno allowing the use of Keno video slot machines. Nebraska Farmers Union’s grassroots developed state policy opposes the expansion of gambling.
Nebraska Farmers Union cites three primary concerns about changing the operation of current Keno gambling:
1. The expansion of the definition of Keno would allow a dramatic increase in the number of Keno gambling sites, and as a result, in total Keno gambling activities.
2. The expansion of the definition of Keno would allow slot machine-like Keno, which would help fuel the fire for full-scale slot machine legalization in the state.
3. The expansion of the definition of Keno would encourage gamblers with gambling addiction problems to become increasingly comfortable with playing slot machines, which leads to more gambling based problems. It transforms the controlled slow-paced Keno game into a much faster paced, more action packed, slot machine-like experience. That is an invitation to serious trouble.
John Hansen, Nebraska Farmers Union President said, “Make no mistake about it, Initiative 421 is an expansion of gambling to include Video Keno Slot Machines. Our organization strongly opposes expanded gambling, period. Those states that have gone down the path to expanded gambling have experienced dramatic increases in family, community, business, and societal problems. States with expanded gambling have more family problems including domestic abuse and violence, more financial problems including bankruptcy, more crime including embezzlement and stealing, and more gambling based forms of addition. Nebraska Farmers Union takes the long view of public policy that represents the best interests for both rural and urban families. Expanded gambling is not just a harmless form of entertainment, nor is it the basis for a sound form of taxation,” Hansen concluded.
Nebraska Farmers Union is the state’s second largest and oldest general farm organization representing over 4,500 farm and ranch families and the rural communities they live in. The mission of Nebraska Farmers Union is to improve the economic well being and quality of life of family farmers and ranchers, and the rural communities they live in.
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