Winder: “Whoa, Nellie, we’re getting the cart before the horse’
In continuing debate on SB 1011, the instant racing repeal bill:
Sen. Chuck Winder, R-Boise, said, “Whoooa, Nellie. I think we’re getting the cart before the horse. … I personally believe that this is a bad policy for us to pursue to repeal a piece of legislation that is only two years old, that has a working issue in it, and it does have an issue. I agree. The machines are not what we were told they were, in my opinion, from appearance.” But he said he’s no expert. “We need to have the investigation done, we need to have the report completed,” Winder said. “When the original machines were evaluated in 2012 by the Attorney General’s office, it was determined that those were indeed OK, they met the test. This is the second generation of those machines. No one’s told us whether they meet the test or they don’t. I think the people that have invested, people that are in that industry, deserve their opportunity to have their day in court.”
He said, "If we repealed every law that we thought someone violated, we'd be spending a lot of time repealing laws."
Sen. Curtis McKenzie, R-Nampa, said, “I don’t think there is any way you can say that they are not a simulation of a slot machine – they were intended to be that. … It’s clear that the product itself does not fit within our constitutional definition. I don’t think that is a debatable issue. I’m a trial lawyer, I often advise clients on whether to go to trial or not. … A hundred juries out of 100 would find that these machines are simulations of slot machines. They clearly are.”
Sen. Bob Nonini, R-Coeur d’Alene, said, “We have to remember the courts are there to determine the constitutionality of laws that the Legislature makes. … If there’s an issue there, let the courts decide it.” He said, “A repeal would discourage other businesses from investing in Idaho for fear of having the rug pulled out from under their feet. ... Don’t forget the agricultural importance of the industry and the enormous negative impact that comes with the repeal.”
Sen. Abby Lee, R-Fruitland, said, “I am absolutely in support of agriculture, I am in support of the horse industry. I am against things that are illegal, regardless of the benefit.”
