|
robbery, aggravated assault, burglary and motor vehicle theft reveals Nevada is the most
<br />dangerous place to live in the United States (Morgan Quitno Press, "Determining the Safest and
<br />Most Dangerous State Rankings"
<br />http:// www .governmentguide.com/community_ and_ home /where_i_live /factors.adp); and
<br />WHEREAS, tourists visit Hawaii to enjoy scenic beauty, idyllic climate, island culture,
<br />and as a family destination, but if legalized gambling were introduced, Hawai`i's image would
<br />change and tourism associated with beauty, idyllic climate, and island culture would further
<br />decline, the type of tourist encouraged to visit Hawaii would change, and /or illegal gambling
<br />syndicates and gambling -based crime will arrive in Hawaii; and
<br />WHEREAS, legalized gambling is a form of regressive tax, particularly in the case of
<br />lotteries, according to studies that find those in the lowest income bracket, the elderly, minorities
<br />and persons with the least amount of education or those who have beliefs in luck -based
<br />philosophies spend the greatest percentage of their income on tickets; and
<br />WHEREAS, the Hawaii Coalition Against Legalized Gambling's (hcalg.org/) mission
<br />statement, reads "Hawai`i Coalition Against Legalized Gambling is an alliance of organizations
<br />and citizens united in our commitment to a concerted effort to prevent the introduction of
<br />legalized gambling into the State of Hawaii. Membership and supporters of the Coalition
<br />include civic, conservation, education, environments, law enforcement, political, public health,
<br />religious, senior citizen, small business, youth and other community organizations.' ; and
<br />WHEREAS, Keith Whyte, executive director, National Council on Problem Gambling
<br />states; "Many people [have] terrible ideas about the odds. Our brains are just not wired to
<br />understand the difference between 500,000 to 1 and 50 million to I."; and
<br />WHEREAS, legalized gambling has a corrupting influence on state and city
<br />governments, often resulting in embezzlement and scandal, and further, governments should not
<br />subject their citizens to exploitation nor should they give youth the message that hard work is not
<br />a virtue, saving money is impractical, or that higher education should be disregarded.
<br />Government should not encourage luck -based activities which may lead to addiction; and
<br />WHEREAS, the Hawai`i State Association of Counties held a meeting on August 11,
<br />2009, and took a position against legalized gambling in the State of Hawaii; and
<br />WHEREAS, the City and County of Honolulu voted on November 18, 2009, against
<br />legalized gambling (Resolution 09 -313); now, therefore,
<br />BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE COUNTY OF HAWAII that it
<br />urges legislators representing the various counties and specifically, the County of Hawai`i to
<br />oppose any legislation legalizing gambling in the State of Hawai`i.
<br />3
<br />
|