Racino Now, a group that has not had much luck pushing a proposal to allow slot machines at Canterbury Park, has a new offer to help ignite some legislative love for its plan.
As lawmakers wrestle with a $3 billion deficit, the group is offering the state a $100 million "licensing fee" in exchange for allowing slot machines at the horse-racing track.
"The Legislature wants to cut programs, borrow money from schools and raise taxes on thousands of Minnesotans, including small businesses," said Dick Day, president of the group and a former lawmaker. "This is a way out of our budget mess and the legislators don't have to raise taxes on anyone or even wait to see if the money comes in."
Randall Sampson, Canterbury's president and CEO, extended the offer in a letter to Gov. Tim Pawlenty and legislative leaders.
"The offer would guarantee that Minnesota would receive $100 million and could put the money to good use in the current budget cycle," he wrote.
Previously, DFL legislative leaders and the Republican governor have all said they don't see the idea passing this year.
