November 20, 2000

Gambling & other ethical issues
draw mixed results in states
___By Bob Allen
___Associated Baptist Press
___JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (ABP)--Though overshadowed by flip-flops and recounts in the presidential election, voters in a number of states decided moral issues Nov. 7.
___With opposition led by Baptists and other conservative evangelicals, gambling initiatives across the country met mixed results.
___Gambling opponents lost in Colorado, where voters overwhelmingly approved a multi-state lottery, such as Powerball, with at least 20 other states.
___In Massachusetts, a ban on greyhound racing lost narrowly.
___South Carolina voters approved a referendum legalizing a state lottery, which Gov. Jim Hodges said would raise $150 million yearly for education.
___South Dakota approved a referendum raising the maximum bet from $5 to $100 at Deadwood casinos. Supporters said it was needed to allow the city's casinos to compete with those in other states. South Dakota voters also rejected a constitutional amendment abolishing video-lottery games.
___The gambling lobby lost ground in Arkansas, however, where voters rejected a lottery, along with casinos and charity bingo, though all were earmarked for education. Gov. Mike Huckabee, an ordained Southern Baptist minister, said government becomes a "pimp" when it uses gambling to fill its treasury.
___Maine voters rejected video-lottery machines at Scarborough Downs Race Track.
___Missouri voters defeated a measure to ease restrictions on who can run bingo games.
___West Virginia voters defeated a local referendum that would have allowed the Greenbrier Resort in White Sulphur Springs to open the state's first casino.
___Meanwhile, voucher proposals, opposed by teachers' unions and governors in both states, lost soundly in Michigan and California.
___California voters overwhelmingly rejected a school-voucher referendum that would have offered parents $4,000 to send their child to a private school, regardless of income.
___Michigan voters rejected a proposal that would have required school districts with poor graduation rates to offer $3,100 vouchers for students to attend a private, parochial or public school of their choice.
___On homosexual rights, Maine defeated a referendum to ban discrimination based on sexual orientation 51 percent to 49 percent.
___Nebraska voters overwhelmingly passed a ban on gay marriages by amending the state constitution to approve of heterosexual marriages only.
___Nevada voters also amended their state constitution to ban gay marriages by a wide margin.
___Oregon voters narrowly rejected a ban on instruction in public schools that encourages, promotes or sanctions homosexual or bisexual behavior.
___Also, Colorado and Nevada approved the medical use of marijuana, while Alaska rejected a referendum to decriminalize marijuana.
___Californians approved a referendum providing treatment and probation instead of prison for first- or second-time non-violent drug offenses, and Mendocino County, Calif., voted to allow adults to grow 25 marijuana plants apiece.
___Colorado rejected a law requiring a 24-hour waiting period for abortions.
___Maine voters narrowly rejected a referendum to join Oregon as the second state to allow doctor-assisted suicide for adults who are terminally ill.

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