Kitzhaber joins fight against Grange casino
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PORTLAND, Ore. - Oregon voters will soon weigh in on a proposed casino near Wood Village and now Gov. John Kitzhaber has decided to get in on the debate and let folks know where he stands.
The governor is firmly against the casino, dubbed the Grange, and is hoping to sway public opinion.
On Friday, he'll be at a film shoot for a campaign ad that will try to convince voters to reject Measures 82 and 83, which would authorize the casino.
The Grange is a proposed casino and entertainment center that would be built near Wood Village. If the plan goes through, it would be the first private casino in the state.
Gov. Kitzhaber said he is against the idea because of the state's existing agreement with tribal governments. Each tribe in the state agreed to operate just one casino, as long as there was no competition from private casinos.
The governor said he wants to honor that agreement with the tribes.
However, supporters of the Grange say the agreement is with the legislature only. They believe voters, if they choose, should be allowed to approve a new casino.
The clock on all of this is ticking - Election Day is about a month away. We are told this new ad featuring the governor will start airing next week.
I'm voting yes!! Most definitely if Kitzhaber is running a NO campaign. He is the one that finalizes our school budget. Amazing how he does not care about public schools as seen by the fewer classroom days , teacher layoffs, under funding and YET puts in increases and new programs for early learning.
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"The governor also proposed a hefty increase in spending on early childhood education. He wants to take money spent from a variety of related programs and consolidate it under one Early Learning Council that would be charged with making sure children are "ready to learn" when they enter kindergarten."
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Funny how he once held a campaign party at Multnomah Greyhound Park before he was ever elected governor the first time and gladly took fundraising dollars at the time. Kitzhaber = a yes vote.
How many of you people who are supporting this because of Jobs are going to Vote Yes on Measure 81? 81 will put 200 Family owned Fishing businesses out of work as well as all the supporting industries for Commercial Fishing. Are you willing to trade Family businesses that have been in Families for over 100 years for a Casino that will bring way more bad things than good and just minimum wage jobs?
If Kitzhauber is against It, I'm for it 100%.
And another thing....why on earth should anyone listen to Kitz? He opposed the Cascade Locks casino also. And that was to be built by The Warm Springs tribe.Â
A casino on non-tribal land means it would have to be smoke free... hell, just for that reason I vote yes. Â
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I think it is a great idea, more jobs, more money and less smoke.  just like everything, in moderation gambling is fun.  why less destructive then smoking, drinking or fast food.Â
I don't see anyone on here bringing up the casino that was proposed at Cascade Locks. Isn't if funny that this would have been an OFF-RESERVATION casino??? The Warm Springs Tribe had plans to go against their side of the agreement also, by doing this. It of course, was turned down. So don't come on here preaching about sticking to agreements.
@Bewitchin1 Though Warm Springs closed the Kahneeta casino, and ended up putting their new casino right on HWY 26, so they still upheld their end of the agreement.
YES! We DO need this and my family, friends...me included are all voting for this. It will be so great to not have to drive by the closed dog track, knowing it could be open and operating for all of us. Those of you who are oppposed...what are YOUR plans??? Come up with something you think is better, and we'll talk. If not just shut-up and step aside so we can vote this in!
"Things" are so bad with not only the National economy but Oregon's...all you bleeding hearts obviously are not paying your fair share of taxes, etc....it's about time those of us that do get some help.  This is a perfect time to vote for this Casino...we need it or those of us that can will flee the state and take out taxes and property taxes with us - AND leave you free-loaders to fend for yourselves...then you can bleed all you want - I won't care....
Why should Oregon discriminate? Why should only indians be allowed to operate casinos? Stop the discrimination! Now that casinos are a reality in Oregon open it up for everybody! Oregon needs the jobs and the employment boost. Vote for measures 82 & 83. Help Oregon stop the discrimination!
 @Freedom1267 Freedom - just like every other legally binding agreement our state has made ON ALL OF OUR BEHALF - the people do have a legal agreement with Native American Oregon tribes - and it must be honored.Â
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To allow for a competing private casino to hone in - is against the intent and spirit LEGALLY SO of our legally signed and sealed agreement.Â
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But progressives know about that. They stood up and agreed to the AGREEMENT, for Pete's sake.Â
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And now they want to spit in the eye of all of that and resent John Kitzhaber for remining them all - how it all is?Â
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Come on...
 @englishdaisy So in your mind, you agree with open discrimination in the state of Oregon. If Oregon is allowed to discriminate for the politician's uses, then everybody should be allowed to discriminate for their own purposes. The federal government has forced Oregon to except the Indian casinos. By both federal and state law, all of the people should be allowed to own and operate casinos. Anything else is open discrimination.
 @englishdaisy ...sounds like you work for the anti people...let me explain a fact of life to you...WE CANNOT AFFORD ANY MORE TAXES and this is a chance for some relief...but I'm sure you can't figure that out...
This is not about Governor Kitzhaber - this is about the issue of casino's and whether or not we want to TROUNCE ALL OVER our state's legal agreements with Oregon's native tribes - and allow for a non-native American casino in the Portland city limits - that would compete and take away REVENUES from native tribes.Â
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Do you liberals who are incensed with Kitzhaber today want to own this reality? You thought Kitzhaber would ignore the injustice that Measure 82 and 83 very really are? Come on. It has been wrong, wrong, wrong of Kitzhaber to take this long to declare his position.Â
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I wonder, liberal public union members - where are each of your spines. How can YOU be "pro: 82 and 83? When you have a native American child in your public classroom today - what are you "thinking" - vote for 82 and 83 - no matter what? Come on, public union liberal hypocrites. How can any of you support 82 and 83 and admit to doing so? In reality - if you do so - you liberal hypocrites are spitting on the best interests of Native American Oregonians - and you know so.Â
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@englishdaisy I'm a liberal, and I'm opposed to "The Grange"
@englishdaisy This "agreement" is with legislature only. We still have the right to vote this in.
 @englishdaisy ... maybe they need jobs.....
 @englishdaisy I agree with you but you sound Militant. Also the State does not have a good record of Honoring Contracts, PERS for example, my mother lost a huge amount of money just as she retired and now Measure 81 wants to close down my Families Business that they have run for the last 100 years so Sport Fishermen can have all the Salmon and everyone else can eat Farmed fish. The real fact is we do not need Casinos at all.
 @englishdaisy Have you ever stopped to think if competition was a good thing?  You make it sound like if we open up this one non-tribal casino that all the tribes in the state are going to go bankrupt because a percentage of their normal customers won't go to their casino.  Maybe if they actually had to compete their house odds would change a little more in the player's favor.  As far as them opening more than one casino per tribe, that won't happen either.  They can't afford to open more than one per-tribe because the operating costs would outpace their income.
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It's about time that the state be allowed to earn some income on casino play. Â While someone pointed out that the percentages in income to social and government services may be low, it's more than they're getting now.
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It's time to end the free income from Oregonians and put some of it back in our local communities.Â
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Vote yes on 82 and 83.
 @pdxtvguy pdx - you need to review your words of choice before you spew them. You sound bitter and racist and angry? Why is that, dude? What did Native American Oregonians do to you? Or did you just not get enough of a raise this past year in your tenured position as a public teacher. And you just wanna keep on keeping on - demanding more and more and MORE. Native American Oregonians and their legall binding agreements signed in good faith with the government of this state - be danged?Â
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Come on, pdx - you need to CHILL. And Measure 82 and 83 need to die. Shame on the progressive opportunists that thought it up and who hypocritically pursued it. Shame on them.Â
 @englishdaisy Wow englishdaisy, where exactly did you draw those conclusions.  Not only am I not a teacher, but I'm enjoying my well deserved double digit raise I just got a few weeks ago.
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I'm not bitter nor racist and I'm a pretty happy person. Â Native American Oregonians haven't done anything to me. Â I simply see a solution to a problem and there's a group of people out there who don't want anything to do with it. Â It seems there's a growing population of folks who complain almost constantaly that there's not enough funding for this or that, but yet when someone comes up with an idea, or even a viable solution, it's that group that instantly comes up with a reason why it's a bad idea.
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What's your plan to bring more money into the schools? Â How do you suggest we fund our law enforcement, fire departments, and other local governmental agencies?
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The Grange is more than a casino. Â It's a place you can take the whole family to. Â It's a venue that will actually generate STATE taxes unlike current casinos in Oregon and it will actually give back to the state. Â It will be yet another attraction that people who come to Portland will want to check out. Â It will draw more of the convention type crowds to the area.
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If it was as simple as saying that because of the treaty, or agreement with the Oregon Tribes, than why is it that it's these very tribes who are dumping millions of dollars into the fight against the project? Â Obviously they're so concerned about having to compete with other options that it's worth that much to them.
 @englishdaisy   shame on you...the jobs, revenue is needed - more than you can imagine it appears....VOTE YES on 82 - 83....leave the bleding hearts behind.  Don't hire them...
I think it is great that our Governor is speaking up for the agreements made regarding the tribal casinos. At least he is defending the arrangement made and I am not sure that will be said of the Grange investors.
Again, this is not about Democrat vs. Republican point of view but about the promises made and the lack of truth in advertising the project.
The claims that revenues will be distributed to public schools, state parks and the police are not exactly the whole truth. And, since the casino is not highly advertised in this project the distribution for gambling treatment is right above the whopping amount for the State Police, the auditing force of the lottery and casinos. It is wonderful that schools will get a large distribution but it does not make me feel safer knowing that treatment and audits for privately owned casinos were the bottom two items after a host of other governmental agencies that will never be burdened with cleaning up the mess of a Vegas size casino.
Check out the distribution as copied from the City of Wood Village FAQs on Measure 82 and 83.
 % Gross Â
Adjusted   Â
Revenues           Recipients Â
12.20 Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â K-12 Public Education Â
4.60 Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Economic Development Â
 3.00               State Parks Â
2.25 Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Adjacent Cities Â
1.00 Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Host City (Wood Village) Â
0.75 Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Oregon Tribes Â
0.50 Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Host County Â
0.45 Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Problem Gambling Â
0.25 Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Oregon State Police
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25.00Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â TOTAL PERCENTAGE
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'Each tribe in the state agreed to operate just one casino, as long as there was no competition from private casinos.' Times are a changing. It is time to update the agreement. I would have to say that the driving force against 'The Grange' is Spirit Mountain. And of course Dr. No being Dr. No, well, enough said about that Think about it, why drive 50 miles to a casino when you could drive 10 - 20 miles to a casino instead? Another thing, no one twists your arm to go to a casino do they? Build it.
 @theobserver The legally binding agreements between the State of Oregon and the Natibe Tribes were made with the UNDERSTANDING there would be no greedy liberal UPDATING of any of it - simply because liberals have run out of tax payer monies. And they want more, more more.  Especially so in all things HYPOCRITICAL Multnomah County. By greedy overreaching unethical liberal HYPOCRITE public union members. Calling themselves and their investment - the "Grange".Â
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 @englishdaisy ...WHAT.  IS.  YOUR.  PROBLEM?....hope you have your blood-pressure under control....
So lots of you will vote yes because you have something against  Kitzhaber?! This makes me furious! What about the affects it will have! Tribes will lose money. Native Americans will lose their benefits! All of those jobs will only be created for a short time! Some may remain, but not all. Criminals will enter, and Wood Village is not a destination place. It is a nice town that does not need anymore growth! And to think the money will stay in the community? I'm disappointed! Look at the long term affects and think about everyone involved and not just yourselves I ask. Please.Â
A Democrat against jobs and competition, gee, what a surprise!
You mean he wants to honor that monopoly.... Â Who'd have thought we'd have a governor against more jobs? Â
I'm liberal and Oregon do need private sector business to bring more jobs. It is nothing to do with just liberal or conservative for that kind of things. Vote YES on 82 and 83.
 @Michael R. Newton It's about the Kids? It's about jobs? Come on...
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Mr. Liberal - it's about perpetrating another INJUSTICE upon Oregon's Native Americans. And you know so.Â
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But how creatively public sector liberals thought they could pursue something or another - and attempt to get away with it. When all you Multnomah County liberal hypocrites are doing is spitting on the best interests of Native American Oregonians - and you ALL know so.Â
At last--something the Kitz and I agree on AND for the same reason too. Â Who would ever believe that would happen? There's got to be something missing from this story...something we aren't being told.
@applepie I know, I'm starting to question my own thinking. I didn't think there would ever be anything I could aggree with him on either, I almost feel like I should be supporting it now, I'm so torn!
Well, if he's against it, there must be something good about it. Unless of course, he allows his personal morality to rule whatever reason he has left. Whatever happened to the thought that if you don't like casinos, then don't go there?
 @jpk He must not have any close friends, associates or lovers vested in the project.
Anything he's against, I'm for. I might check it out because of curiosity, but my favorites are Spirit Mountain at Grand Ronde ant the Lucky Eagle at Rochester, Wa. because it's across the road from my sisters' ranch. How convenient.
 I am neutral on the casino, but with Comrade Kitzhaber against it, even if it is passed he will say "Not on my watch".
 @dkgiovenco ~  Yeah, that's entirely possible... Kitz is one of those elected officials that somehow, somewhere, got the idea that he's allowed to pick and choose which of our laws, agreements, whatever, he wants to abide by / enforce.   This, despite their sworn oath when they took office, to protect our Constitution and abide by our laws.  Â
I was already going to vote for the Grange. Now i'll make certain that I do, and i'll donate money to their fund. Kitzhaber is one of the biggest liberal jokes Oregon has ever suffered through.
Interesting logic - do you always support the exact opposite of everything the Governor supports?Â
 @OSUx2 Only if the governors choice goes against logic, rational thinking and the best interests of the majority.
 @last boyscout LOL... Fair enough. I will agree that Lord Kitzhaber has proven himself to be more interested in imposing his own will upon Oregonians as doing the job he was elected to do.Â
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I disagree with you about the proposed casino being a good thing, but I can respect your position on that point none the less.Â
 @MarkKpic Mark, my intention was to suggest that most of Kitzhabers decisions would naturally be faulted just due to his ideology.
@MarkKpic @last boyscout @OSUx2 I am sure that the jobs like Bartenders , cashiers, Security, accounting, and such will be all local hires. Now as far as professional dealers and Casino Pit bosses and such will come from out of state as oregon does not have a personell pool to draw from.
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 @last boyscout  @OSUx2 >...'goes against logic, rational thinking and the best interests of the majority.'
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And you support the building of the private casino?
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Seems to be a departure between those two lines of thinking.Â
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There's absolutely no guarantees that the construction jobs (outside of the on-site hiring) would be local, and the net impact of a urban located casino on the state, county and municipal budgets is nowhere to be found in any 'financial impacts' that are touted by the developer/investors.
The 'jobs' of and by the casino itsself would be majority minimum wage, and part time jobs. Â
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Frankly, I'm with you in regards to Lord Kitzhaber. I'm just a bit confused as to where your application of 'logic, rational thinking and the best interests of the majority' are in your support for the measures.Â
It appears to me that the Indian casinos run a tight ship as far as security is concerned.I wonder if this casino would do the same? I'm another person undecided.The photo seems like the casino will be quite nice with many restaurants and bars that would employ people as well as dealers ect.
@noneofyourbizzness It's my opinion that this will be operated more as a profit-ship to line the pockets of investors. Whereas the tribal casinos act primarily to encourage local community involvement, and to benefit the local tribal communities, not the wealthy investors. With regards to employment, I don't know as though we can count on The Grange to grant the majority of employees full time status, and if not, then will they still be offered health benefits? There's something fishy smelling along the Columbia, and I think it's called The Grange.
@pdxd As a restaurant manger who employs both part time and full time staff,it's been our experience that every time we run a Craig's list ad we literally get a huge mob of applicants.Most of them just wan't a job and consider health insurance a perk if they get it.
Don't be foolish into thinking this provides jobs. This is a stupid man's tax - to gamble away his food and shelter money. I grew up in Nevada. I can tell you how horrible it is to see drunkards stagger out of casinos, broke and whining like there's no tomorrow. I can tell you that it does no good, that it actually damages the surrounding areas because of the vermin it brings in. It may seem great for the first "glorified" years, but in the end, it's a big building that is corrupting the livability of people. Don't get sucked into the "business" notion. It will damage the community. Guaranteed!Â
@washcomom This isn't Las Vegas, I don't believe I've ever seen a "drunkard" stagger out after losing all of his money at a tribal casino in Oregon, nor have I seen "vermin" near Oregon tribal casinos. If you take a look at some of the tribal gaming in Oregon, you'll notice it's actually pretty nicely done. If it weren't for the fact that this piece of legislation is only for 1 specific privatized casino to go in, I'd possibly consider voting in favor, but to monopolize privately run gaming in Oregon, that's not something I can vote for.
 @pdxd  @washcomom And if you look at the DUI accidents near the casinos, you will see what I'm talking about as well. And there are plenty near Grande Ronde and others.
@washcomom Or you could possibly just take a look at the DUI accidents located near bars in general.
@washcomom It will provide Jobs alright before during and after constructions completes. Just notn the jobs you are willing to recognize just to keep the entitlements and unemployment going.
@Civ During construction, I can understand. However, afterwards, it will merely be a transferring of jobs from somewhere else to this casino, as I doubt many people from out of state will be making special trips to the casino. That would leave the locals, who have limited resources and would simply spend the money elsewhere locally, if they weren't going to this casino. Therefore, no new jobs for the region.
Those who travel to the Tribal Casinos will go to this one because it is closer. As for the Jobs. I am sure there are a lot of "local" Professional Poker and BlackJack dears in Wood Villiage. Bar tenders , security , cahiers, accountants , Pit bosses. I am sure these are going to be "transferred" from other casinos in Oregon. No wait , there are no other casinos in the state to draw from, Tribal Casinos are a part of a soviergn nation.