Video slots: Earl is as Earl does (audio)
Update: Click here for the story from today's paper.
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So Rep. Earl Jones was the "1" in a 116-1 vote in the House today. The bill in question would ban a video slot system that is becoming more prevalent in the state that some folks liken to video poker.
(You can click here to listen to Reps. Melanie Goodwin and Ray Rapp give the rationale for outlawing the machines.)
Jones has cut against the grain at the General Assembly since getting elected up here.
Of banning video poker, he said in 2006:
"Just to ban it straight out when we just passed the lottery is kind of hypocritical."
and
"I don't see any difference between video poker and the lottery," said Rep. Earl Jones , a Greensboro Democrat.
Of payday lending, another industry the state has outlawed, he said in 2005:
State Rep. Earl Jones , D-Guilford, said that payday lending fills a financial services gap not covered by banks."If they're shut down, there will be no mechanism that will develop to meet that need," Jones said.
And remember, Jones is the guy who filed the medical marijuana and the stem cell bill, which both provoked some controversy.
So when Jones was on the short end of a 116-1 vote over video slot machines, I can't say I was shocked.
"I think people really just want to be left alone," Jones said. "If a person wants to play cards or play the lottery or participate in this activity...it just seems to be overreaching relative to government telling people what to do."
While he said there's probably no way he'll make up the vote difference Wednesday, Jones objected to third reading so the House has to vote again before sending the bill to the Senate. Jones said he wasn't sure what he would say Wednesday. But, he added this:
"I guarantee you, a year from now, two years from now, I'm going to end up being right,'' Jones said, "and the General Assembly's actions are going to end up being wrong because I think there's a fundamental issue of businesses being treated fairly."
You can click here to listen to part of my conversation with Jones, where we discuss some of those points and argue over a few facts. (More audio from that conversation.)
Of course, I will be taking a gander at Jones' campaign finance report for this quarter when he files it, just to see if anything interesting might be there.
Comments (9)
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Thanks. This is great. Much appreciated. After seeing all this, I have to say I generally like the way this guy thinks.
Posted on July 9, 2008 7:51 AM
I know from experience that video poker can put a big financial hurt on people. If Earl Jones thinks these kinds of games should be allowed, he should call for their full regulation, where odds are made clearly known to players. While Jones may compare these games to a game of cards, they are far different. The machines can, and are, programmed so that the odds are nowhere near what one would have playing with a real deck of cards. It is consumer fraud. I would ask Mr. Jone if, absent regulation and full odds disclosure, if he isn't actually defending fraud.
Posted on July 9, 2008 3:37 PM
Good idea to check Earl's campaign finance report when it comes out, but the video slot industry would be pretty dumb to pay off just one legislator ... I mean, unless it was someone like Jim Black.
Posted on July 10, 2008 12:11 PM
Video Slots came out in Texas after another loop hole there was closed. It will be interesting to see what the next "safe" gambling thing will be.
Posted on July 10, 2008 10:49 PM
Mark,
You should know that George Ragsdale is involved with this business in High Point. Check out the City of High Point minutes from the June 16th meeting. He owns a building that he knowingly allowed unlicensed bingo and internet sweepstakes to operate in. If he is getting paid rent and/or royalties by the operator and he is running for office, isn't that a kind of improper activity, akin to your desire to search Rep. Jones' campaign finance reports. Only here, Ragsdale doesn't have to report it.
Posted on July 11, 2008 10:06 AM
Mark,
You should know that George Ragsdale is involved with this business in High Point. Check out the City of High Point minutes from the June 16th meeting. He owns a building that he knowingly allowed unlicensed bingo and internet sweepstakes to operate in. If he is getting paid rent and/or royalties by the operator and he is running for office, isn't that a kind of improper activity, akin to your desire to search Rep. Jones' campaign finance reports. Only here, Ragsdale doesn't have to report it.
Posted on July 11, 2008 10:08 AM
George Ragsdale isn't running for office. He lost to Laura Wiley in a Republican primary for her state House seat.
Posted on July 11, 2008 11:41 AM
Of course, I will be taking a gander at Jones' campaign finance report for this quarter when he files it, just to see if anything interesting might be there* Mark
Being a On-Line wager, I would wager that the following possible donors to his campaign anti-war chest would be.....
1.The Ron Paul Liberty Movement
2.The Baja Jesse Ventura Liberty Foundation
3.The Robin Hood Straight Arrow Freedom Poker Club
4. And finally! The infamous Panco Viva & Thomas Jefferson "Save a American Silver Dollar Foundation."
Posted on July 12, 2008 5:06 PM
Mark, since you're looking at Earl's filings, maybe you can explain why he reported spending money on his campaign when he wasn't on the primary ballot. If he did GOTV and poll work, then it had to be in support of another candidate. This would be an in-kind contribution and must be reported as such by the spending and receiving parties. If he did this in support of a federal candidate, such as Barack Obama, that is illegal. Go get 'em BINK!
Posted on July 19, 2008 9:41 PM