THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, February 14, 1996 TAG: 9602140393
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A1 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: General Assembly
SOURCE: BY DAVID M. POOLE AND ROBERT LITTLE, STAFF WRITERS
DATELINE: RICHMOND LENGTH: Medium: 83 lines
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 multi-state Powerball lotto game.
Riverboat gambling was killed 69-28 in the full House, despite massive lobbying by casino companies and the enthusiastic backing of House Speaker Thomas W. Moss Jr. 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 Del. William P. Robinson Jr., D-Norfolk, who carried the bill this year.
Riverboats were 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 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 unrestricted access to gynecological care.
Del. Lacey E. Putney, an independent from Bedford, said insurance companies were wrong to suggest 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 Virginia Senate.
And Republican Gov. George F. Allen has gone from a lukewarm supporter to a firm opponent.
The House vote was closer than the final tally, as about 10 riverboat supporters bailed out at the last minute as it became apparent the measure had no chance for passage.
Support was centered in Hampton Roads and Richmond, areas that stood to benefit directly from casinos and tax revenue.
Opposition was strongest in western Virginia, where promises of a multi-million-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 casino, with the single exception of House Minority Leader C. Richard Cranwell of Vinton.
Casino backers pledged to return, but perhaps not unless there is turnover in the General Assembly and if the nation's appetite for gambling continues to grow.
``I don't think I would want to make snap decisions about the future,'' said Tom Mountjoy, general partner in the Annabel Lee riverboat docked in Richmond. ``It's a wide-open issue and something people like to do.
``Eventually the climate will change and people will take a serious look at it.''
Earlier in the day, House lawmakers told the state Lottery Department to move ahead with implementation of the multi-state Powerball lottery game. Similar to the existing Lotto game but with larger jackpots, Powerball is expected to infuse $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.
But the House Finance Committee deflated plans for the more-controversial ``keno'' game, voting to study it and other casino-style lottery games until the 1997 legislative session. Keno would pay winners as often as every five minutes, and is considered a more addictive form of gambling.
``What we're trying to tell you is that we don't want you fiddling with keno and instant video games until we complete our study,'' said Cranwell, chairman of the committee.
Paula Otto, spokeswoman for the Lottery Department, said keno would not have been played until September of 1997, so Tuesday's action would not cause a delay.
KEYWORDS: GENERAL ASSEMBLY 1996 PROPOSED LAW RIVERBOAT GAMBLING
GYNECOLOGIST REFERRAL by CNB