Californian online poker edges closer as budget fix fails 20/05/2009
The failure to pass the measures could see California, which would be the world's eighth largest economy if it were a country, go more than US$25bn into debt by the end of this financial year, providing a boost to a framework bill proposing licenses for legal, taxed intrastate online poker to swell state coffers.
Jim Tabilio, president of grassroots gaming advocacy group Poker Voters of America (PVA), which sponsored a framework bill in 2008 which passed the state's lower house, told eGaming Review: “The framework bill has a majority in support of the concept in both the Assembly and the Senate, and has a group of legislators including people in the leadership in both houses ready to take it forward.”
The bill was introduced by California Assemblyman Lloyd Levine last year, but dropped down the legislative agenda when the economic downturn diverted attention elsewhere and Levine left office at the end of his maximum of two terms.
However Jim Tabilio said that he had been instructed by members of the California legislature to continue working on this bill so it meets its goals of consumer protection and raising state revenue.
He said he was confident provisions could be quickly drafted working alongside these stakeholders to lend potential licensees the ability to compete in the online poker space, given the urgency of the budget problem.
Tabilio added: “It’s a case of writing the bill so it maximises revenue to the state and participating tribes and clubs. Once that is successful, it becomes a simple matter of having the vote because if everyone is in favour of it, it will pass. This means we’re probably going to be able to get the bill through in mid-summer.”
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Posted: 20/05/2009
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smillar@millarlaw.net
I do not question Mr. Tabilio's expertise or sense of timing, but my read of the voter's response to Propositions 1A-1D is not the same as his. The voter's clearly told the legislature and the governor to do their jobs, not come up with gimmicks. A response at this time to the budget crisis, in the form of leglization may provoke meaningful anger at the next election. The approach suggested may work, but I doubt that there are many in the legislature or candidates for governor who will be willing to take the heat. Maybe this is another case of "irrational exuberance". Time will tell.
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