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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

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Cheatham Votes Yes, Means No

Legislation that would ban Idaho's lucrative slot-like instant horse-racing betting terminals, has only one more hurdle to clear before reaching the governor's desk. The House State Affairs Committee voted 15-2 Thursday to advance the proposal to the House floor after lawmakers deliberated at length over if and how the state should remove roughly 200 machines currently installed in three locations. Rep. Vito Barbieri, R-Dalton Gardens; and Rep. Shannon McMillan, R-Silverton, cast the no votes, and Rep. Don Cheatham called The Press after the meeting to say he mistakenly voted yes for the repeal. "I had a senior moment," Cheatham said. "I was leaned back talking with another legislator when we took the vote and I said yes, when I intended to vote no." Cheatham said he went to the chairman after the hearing and informed him that he will be voting no when the bill comes to a vote on the floor/Associated Press. More here.

Question: What do you think of Cheatham's "senior moment"? I suspect a vote for repeal of "instant racing" is the correct, one.



D.F. Oliveria
D.F. (Dave) Oliveria joined The Spokesman-Review in 1984. He currently is a columnist and compiles the Huckleberries Online blog and writes about North Idaho in his Huckleberries column.

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