Gambling – MOST URGENT
SJR2 ” Proposing and submitting to the voters an amendment to the Constitution of the State of South Dakota, providing for wagering on sporting events.” If passed in the Legislature, SJR2 would be on the ballot in 2020 for the people to decide if we want to legalize sports betting in the City of Deadwood. SJR2 passed in the Senate State Affairs Committee 5-4 and will be heard in the full Senate this afternoon, Monday, February 11. We want a NO vote. CWA has always taken a position against the expansion of gambling.
Interestingly, the Department of Revenue came forth in opposition, stating that their analysis showed that this legalization of sports gambling would actually cost the state more than it would bring in for revenue, due to the costs of regulation, etc. This was a message that possibly is backed by Governor Noem, who stated during her gubernatorial campaign that she was against expansion of gambling.
TAKE ACTION NOW: Contact your state senator and ask him/her to OPPOSE SJR2 .
Click here to view the list of legislators and simply click on your Senator’s e-mail address.
Click here if you do not know who your legislators are.
In addition to e-mailing, phone the Senate lobby and leave a message for your Senator: (605) 773-3821.
More Gambling
HB 1252 , to increase the state’s percentage of video lottery revenues and create a “video lottery repeal and recovery fund.”
This bill will be heard in House Taxation Committee Tuesday morning. We support HB 1252. The goal of HB 1252 is to gradually decrease South Dakota’s dependence on video lottery proceeds that are used to fund state government. We know it is never good to fund government with “sin taxes,” because gambling problems can cause family breakdown.
ACTION: Contact members of the Committee and also your two representatives and ask them to support HB1252.
Click here to view the list of legislators and simply click on their e-mail addresses.
Click here if you do not know who your legislators are.
In addition to e-mailing, phone the House lobby and leave a message for your two House Representatives. (605) 773-3851.
SJR5 is a third gambling bill that would place the issue on the 2020 ballot for all South Dakota voters to decide. SJR5 would allow roulette, keno, craps, limited card games, and slot machines in the city of Yankton.
SJR5 could be heard in the Senate State Affairs Committee this week. Again, CWA is opposed to the expansion of gambling due to the negative and addictive effects it has on individual lives and families.
ACTION: Contact members of the Senate State Affairs Committee and ask them to OPPOSE SJR5. In addition, contact your Senator and ask him to OPPOSE SJR5.
Click here to view the list of legislators and simply click on your Senator’s e-mail address.
Click here if you do not know who your legislators are.
In addition to e-mailing, phone the Senate lobby and leave a message for your Senator. (605) 773-3821.
Protect Life
HB1193 , “to provide a criminal penalty for causing an abortion against a pregnant mother’s will.” This is a good pro-life bill providing a Class B felony penalty for “causing the pregnant mother to undergo an abortion against her will that results in the death of the unborn human being.”
HB1193 will be heard in the House Health & Human Services Committee Wednesday, February 13.
ACTION: Contact members of the Committee and also your two representatives and ask them to support HB1193.
Click here to view the list of legislators and simply click on their e-mail addresses.
Click here if you do not know who your legislators are.
In addition to e-mailing, phone the House lobby and leave a message for your two House Representatives. (605) 773-3851.
Linda Schauer
State DirectorCWA of South Dakota
director@southdakota.cwfa.org
sd.cwfa.org