politics

Horse-racing interests on Wednesday renewed their long-shot effort to establish casinos at two Minnesota race tracks, hoping to convince reluctant legislators that slot machine profits could ease budget deficits.

But by the end of the evening, it was clear there weren't enough votes to pass the bill out of a Senate committee. Its author, Sen. Dan Sparks, DFL-Austin, withdrew the proposal before it could be defeated, with plans to attach it as an amendment to a key piece of legislation on the Senate floor later in the session.

While the ultimate prospects of success for the proposal appeared slim, there was no lack of passion on either side of the debate.

Referring to the state's massive budget gap, Sparks said the latest version of the racino proposal resurfaced "at a time when we need it the most."

Former GOP Sen. Dick Day, now a lobbyist for racino interests, noted that he has been pushing unsuccessfully for racinos for many years, but "the landscape is changing because we're going to be $5 billion to $6 billion in debt."

Opponents of racinos argued that the revenue prospects are exaggerated and that new gambling ventures in other states have fallen short of projections.

"They came away disappointed," said Victoria Winfrey, president of the Prairie Island Dakota, owners of Prairie Island Casino in Red Wing.

Angela Heikes, an official of the Mille Lacs band of Ojibwe, acknowledged that racinos located at the two tracks in the Twin Cities metro area would compete with her band's Grand Casino Hinckley and result in "a shift in market share."

Minnesota tribal casino interests have contributed $4 million since 1998 to political campaigns, mostly to DFLers.

Social conservatives oppose having state-run racinos for other reasons. "It's fundamentally wrong," said Tom Pritchard, president of the Minnesota Family Council, who said the social costs would prove "far greater than any economic benefit."

Supporters say putting slot machines at Canterbury Park in Shakopee and Running Aces in Anoka County would generate $125 million a year in government revenue. They have proposed earmarking it for rural development, bioscience research, early childhood education and athletic facilities.

Sparks and Day said the proposal could be resurrected as an amendment to bills dealing with rural development, jobs, education or early childhood education.

Pat Doyle • 651-222-1210