ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, February 14, 1996 TAG: 9602140081
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: RICHMOND
SOURCE: DAVID M. POOLE AND ROBERT LITTLE STAFF WRITERS
A lopsided vote in the House of Delegates signaled Tuesday that riverboat casinos have no foreseeable future on Virginia waterways.
But a House committee opened the door to a more familiar form of gambling: the multistate Powerball Lotto game.
Riverboat gambling was killed 69-28 in the full House, despite extensive lobbying by casino companies and the enthusiastic backing of House Speaker Thomas Moss of Norfolk.
The lopsided defeat led the bill's chief sponsor to conclude that casino companies would be wise to look elsewhere.
"In this climate, I just do not see that it would be a prudent investment," said Norfolk Del. William Robinson, who carried the bill this year.
Riverboat gambling bill was defeated toward the end of a hectic day in the state Capitol, as lawmakers plodded toward a midnight deadline marking the midway point in the 1996 General Assembly session.
Lawmakers acted on reams of controversial measures, including bills that would expand the legal rights of unborn babies, curb teens' access to tobacco and provide women unrestricted access to gynecological care.
The day's biggest surprise came in the House, where a rare floor speech by the chamber's senior member led to overwhelming support for a bill giving women in managed-care insurance plans unrestricted access to gynecological care.
Del. Lacey Putney, an independent from Bedford, said insurance companies were wrong to suggest that the measure would be the beginning of the end for managed care.
"I tell you, it just ain't so," Putney said. "This is no great leap; it's just one small step for the women of Virginia."
Riverboat casinos lost ground in the assembly, despite a lavish, four-year lobbying effort by casino companies and boat operators. The bill has never cleared the House and has even less support in the Senate. And Republican Gov. George Allen has gone from a lukewarm supporter to a firm opponent.
Opposition was strongest in Western Virginia, where promises of a multimillion-dollar windfall failed to allay the region's moral concerns about casino wagering.
Delegates representing areas west of Richmond stood shoulder-to-shoulder against riverboat casinos, with the single exception of House Minority Leader Richard Cranwell of Vinton.
Earlier in the day, House lawmakers told the state Lottery Department to move ahead with implementation of the multistate Powerball lottery game. Similar to the existing Lotto game but with larger jackpots, Powerball would infuse a projected $40.6 million into the two-year state budget.
The full House, as well as the Senate, would have to go along with the Powerball plan.
LENGTH: Medium: 58 lines KEYWORDS: GENERAL ASSEMBLY 1996by CNB