Iowa Mayor Expresses Concern over Gambling Expansion - and the Harm it Causes Non-Profits

Mayor Skip Conkling appreciates the benefits provided by Prairie Meadows. a non-profit casino in his town of Altoona. He is concerned about the expansion of casinos we're seeing nationwide and how that could harm organizations trying to give back to the communities they are a part of.
Click here to read his open letter to all current presidential candidates.

The Honorable Skip Conkling is currently Mayor of the City of Altoona. Prior to this, he served on the Altoona City Council for 16 years. He is currently a commissioner on the Des Moines Area Regional Transit Commission, as well as a member of the Metropolitan Planning Organization, Metropolitan Advisory Council, 2030 Transportation Task Force and the Convention and Visitors Bureau Board of Directors.

Graham and Rubio Fight Online Gambling through Legislation

Two presidential hopefuls are working to fight online gambling in their current role as lawmakers.

This summer Republican candidate Sen. Lindsey Graham (S.C.) reintroduced his Restoration of America’s Wire Act and attracted a new GOP co-sponsor, Sen. Marco Rubio (Fla), who is also running for president. Five other senators are also supporting the bill. 

Read more about the legislation here.

Senator Lindsey Graham Calls for Gambling Oversight

Citizens Against Gambling Expansion met with Senator Graham recently to discuss the expansion of Gambling. Graham said, "I'm not for any gambling in South Carolina period."  He said the issue was out of control across our nation and if elected president he would push to return to the terms with the Indian tribes as they were prior to Obama.  Graham says he also understands that there was little he could do at the present time except work to keep the issue to a minimum nationally. 

Click the video below to learn more about his views.

Marco Rubio Says Gambling is a Tax on the Poor

Senator Marco Rubio has been on the campaign trail this summer. CAGE caught up with him in both Iowa and South Carolina to learn his views on gambling expansion.
Rubio has a history of fighting gambling expansion in his home state of Florida.
Click the video below to learn more about his views.

Rick Santorum Shares his Views on Gambling

Senator Rick Santorum recently visited The Citadel Military School in Charleston, South Carolina. Matthew Mason, a Charleston resident and political activist, asked the Senator his position on gambling expansion. Santorum says he believes gambling is a tax on the people who play.

Please click on the video below to hear Santorum's complete response.

Carly Fiorina talks about the Expansion of Off-Reservation Gambling

CAGE's Connie Schmett, community activist and grassroots organizer in Iowa was at the Dallas County GOP Spring Speaker Series in May. 

She took some video of the meeting and had this to say:

"With the opportunity to see and hear Carly Fiorina speak, I clearly realize we need to elect a presidential candidate who will look at the larger picture when it comes to the gambling industry.  Casino market over-saturation is not good for economic growth of our communities nor sustainable job creation.
"We need a president who will roll back the Obama administration regulations that allow Indian tribes to apply for licenses for casinos any where in the United States.  Previous administrations have limited expansion of tribal casinos within no more than 50 miles of their reservations.  We need to use some common sense in dealing with this issue."


Click the video below to see Fiorina's response when asked about the expansion of off-reservation gambling.

CAGE Garners More Signatures - Sent to Presidential Hopefuls

Robert Cramer is CAO of Cramer and Associates and the most recent author of a letter sent with 250 signatures to presidential hopefuls from Iowans concerned about the impact of gaming on our nation. 

Cramer considers himself a small-businessman, engineer, problem solver, numbers guy, conservative, and a man of faith. Cramer has served on several boards and panels including the Johnston School Board, Industry Advisory Council for the Construction Engineering Department at ISU, Associated General Contractors of Iowa Board of Directors, AGC liaison with Iowa DOT, AGC of IA Executive Committee, Blessman Ministries, Inc. Board of Directors.

Click here to see the actual letter sent to Governor Walker.

Dear Governor Walker,

I am a bridge contractor and politically active citizen of Iowa.  My letter to you is accompanied by 250 signatures who oppose any expansion of gambling. These signatures represent Iowans across our state who are concerned about all aspects of the gambling industry and the impact it has on our communities as well as the communities that neighbor our state. 

It simply is not logical to think that an economic base can be created by increasing any additional licenses to potential casinos in the hope of generating revenue to support programs within an individual state. We’ve seen this happen in Atlantic City where casinos have closed their doors, jobs are lost and businesses are closed leaving that City almost bankrupt.

As you know, the strength of any state and that of our nation lies in the hands of the people.  We need industries and opportunities allowing them to have pride and satisfaction in earning a paycheck and see the results of their devoted hard work.  For the state to entice people (especially the poor) to spend their hard earned money in hopes of a “free lunch” from gambling sends the exact opposite message.

I thank you and the citizens of Iowa thank you for taking a stand in not supporting the proposed Kenosha casino in Wisconsin.  Thank you for your service and leadership as well as taking the time to read my letter and look at yet another group of Iowans who have signed the attached petitions.

Sincerely,

Robert Cramer

President/CAO