LETTER: Repeal instant racing now

Governor Butch Otter

State Capitol

P.O. Box 83720

Boise, ID 83720

Dear Governor Otter,

We support Senate Bill 1011, the bill to repeal Instant Racing in Idaho, and ask you to sign the bill into law.

Over the past few months, this bill has received a lot of attention across the state and the issue has been debated thoroughly in the Legislature. The message from the overwhelming majority of legislators is clear — the machines are illegal under Idaho’s Constitution and many felt duped.

Idaho’s elected officials were promised simulcast but instead got slot machines. The Legislature promised that this would only be at racetracks, now it’s in off-track bars. What’s next?

Senate Bill 1011 has now passed both chambers with overwhelming support for the repeal of Instant Racing and the removal of these machines.

As Idahoans, we do not want to see an unconstitutional expansion of gambling in our state. Many other states across America have rejected Instant Racing. It’s clear we should follow suit. We know you to be an adamant defender of the Idaho Constitution and hope you will continue to do so by signing this bill into law.

Sincerely,

Sandi Bloem

Former Mayor of Coeur d’Alene

Steve Widmyer

Mayor, City of Coeur d’Alene

Grant Ipsen

Former Idaho State Senator

Ron Nilson

President, Ground Force Worldwide

Shiela Olsen Laird Nah

Former Idaho State Senator

Hal Bunderson

Former Idaho State Senator

Major Benton Markham

Executive Director, Salvation Army Kroc Center

Joe Dunlap

President of North Idaho College

Woody McEvers

President, Coeur d’Alene City Council

Kiki Miller

Coeur d’Alene City Council Member

Amy Evans

Coeur d’Alene City Council Member

Dan Gookin

Coeur d’Alene City Council Member

Rocky and Mary Watson

Former Sheriff, Kootenai County

Christie Wood

President, Kootenai County Task Force on Human Relations

John Krutz

Board member, STOP Predatory Gambling

Steve and Marilyn Griffitts

Steve Wilson

Matthew Handelman