Jackson Free Press

After days of behind-the-scenes struggle, the Legislature passed bills allowing casinos to build within 800 feet of the high-tide line during a special session called by Gov. Haley Barbour to address recovery from Hurricane Katrina. The measure passed the House by only seven votes, with 60 in favor and 53 against, late Friday, Sept. 30. The Senate then took up consideration of the bills and debated them until 12:45 a.m. before voting to return Monday morning. On Monday afternoon, the Senate passed the gambling measure in a close 29-21 vote.

Rep. Bobby Moak, D-Bogue Chitto, chairman of the House Gaming Committee, introduced three gambling-related bills to the House on Friday night. Moak reassured members that the bills would not allow gaming to expand. He stressed the importance of gaming taxes in the state budget. "Gaming provides $142 of revenue a person," Moak said, "so if you want to cut out gambling, you might as well go home and tell a family of four to give another $500 in taxes."

Shortly after the first bill was introduced, supporters employed a parliamentary maneuver to close the bill to amendments and limit debate to 20 minutes. Opponents of the bill strongly resented this tactic. Rep. Joey Fillingane, R-Sumrall, had planned to offer two amendments. He was indignant at the limit on debate. "If we're not allowed to debate this issue in a legislative body like this one, then why are we here?" Fillingane said.

There was also controversy over the fact that the changes to gambling were presented as three separate bills. Rep. Deryk Parker, D-Lucedale, said, "If they put it all in one bill, then it's a revenue bill, and they know they can't pass it under those rules."

Parker was the most outspoken opponent of allowing casinos to move onto land. "People from the Coast," Parker said in an emotional speech from the floor, "you know my heart. I'm for you, and I love you. But I can't get behind you on this issue. Overall, gambling has such a negative impact. … The governor says we can make the Coast like Las Vegas, which has the nickname 'Sin City.' I don't want that kind of reputation for my state."

Supporters of the bill were equally committed to their cause. Rep. Leonard Bentz, R-Biloxi, said, "Everybody asks me: What can we do to help? I ask you, if you can find it in your heart, vote for this bill. Please help these people."

Rep. Roger Ishee, R-Gulfport, made what may have been the most impassioned appeal of the debate: "Ladies and gentleman, my people are hurting. It's not just my people; it's our people. They belong to you, too. I'm not too proud to beg. Please help us. ... The governor talks about what'll be happening in 30 years. In 30 years, I'll be 105. I won't be here. I'm an old man, but I'm not too proud to beg."

The measure passed 60-53. The other two gaming bills passed by large margins, without debate. On Monday afternoon, the Senate passed the gambling measure in a close 29-21 vote.

Sen. Willie Simmons, D-Cleveland, who voted in favor of the proposal, said: "I know there are a lot of folks who said we should not allow them on land. Their argument is that gaming is about sin and corruption, but whether or not it's on water or land, you're still going to have that kind of activity. We did, I think, what was in the better interest of this state."

Gambling was by far the most controversial issue before the Legislature, and it brought both supporters and opponents to the capitol days before the vote.

"When you endorse gambling, then you open the door to all other evil!" James Hichens of Brookhaven bellowed outside the state capitol on Friday.

Paul Jabour, also from Brookhaven, spoke while Hichens and Rev. Kendall Boutwell brandished signs condemning a number of sins. The men are members of the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ in Brookhaven. On Thursday, about 50 Baptist ministers lobbied legislators against the gambling proposal.

"What are we telling our kids when we say that we support casinos, places where there's prostitution, drugs and excessive drinking?" Jarbour asked. "People lose a lot of money, some people that can't afford it. It encourages them."

Jarbour blames much of the appeal of casinos on the loss of industry in the state. "We've got factories in Mexico that were here for people to work in, and build and make things, and have an honest way to make a living. … Do we have to depend on something the Mafia thinks is a good idea?" he asked.

"If we can't survive without gambling, we've got a problem," Jarbour continued. "Once you've gotten rid of all your factories and all your jobs, the only thing left is to hope you hit the lottery. That's what we're doing with our whole state."

Laura Hastings, who spoke at a press conference called by Barbour in support of allowing the move, was one of a host of gambling supporters from the Gulf Coast.

"This is not just about casinos, this is about jobs. This is not just about the Mississippi Gulf Coast, this is about all of Mississippi. These casinos have been very good neighbors and helpful in all aspects to the community and the state. We have to rebuild, and this is the way to start the process," Hastings said.

Hastings added that one of the biggest industries in our state should not leave because of safety issues. "The barges literally broke loose, went over highway 90, slammed into neighborhoods. They're trying to do what is safest for the community as well as their investment," Hastings said.

When asked about the religious convictions of many opponents of the move, Hastings replied: "If you don't want to be a part of the casinos, then don't go, but don't deprive other people of making a living and feeding their children. … This is not the casinos versus the churches. This is economics, and it's all about rebuilding our Gulf Coast and our state."

The support of Gov. Haley Barbour, who campaigned for office on a promise not to allow gambling to expand in the state, was crucial in getting the changes to gambling passed. In his opening speech to the Legislature on Wednesday, Sept. 27, Barbour said, "In a state like ours, 400 miles from end to end, a few hundred feet is neither significant nor material."

After the vote, Barbour was asked if he worries that his support for moving casinos onto land would hurt his standing with religious conservatives. "I think this is the right thing. What I proposed and passed is entirely consistent with what I campaigned on, and that is that gaming should not be allowed to expand beyond the counties they're in now. Good policies is good politics, and I've done what I thought was good policy," Barbour said.

A number of issues, including a $25 million loan program for small business and a $500 million fund to support local governments while they wait for federal aid, remained before the legislature as the Jackson Free Press went to press.

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