For immediate release:

Delegate Sobonya to Participate on
Legislative Panel for National Conference

Delegate Kelli Sobonya, R-Cabell, is one of three state legislators nationwide that will participate on the Legislative Panel for the 10th Annual NCALG National Conference in Baltimore, Maryland on September 26th & 27th. Joining her on the legislative panel will be Senator Roy Dyson (MD) and Senator Sue Tucker (MA). The theme of the two day conference,"High States Gambling--States Can't Gamble Themselves Rich", will focus on the issue of gambling expansion on the state level.

Conference brochure link: http://www.ncalg.org/Conference%20Brochure.pdf

"West Virginia, unfortunately, has joined several other states, in going down the path to balancing their state budget on a "House of Cards." What started out as the lottery in 1984 has turned into street corner "mini casinos" says Delegate Sobonya. "The Legislature passed the bill legalizing slot machines several years ago with the premise that it would reduce, regulate, and restrict slot machines. Within a five mile radius of my home, there are two or three businesses that use the word "Casino" in their advertising. I certainly don't believe this was the intention of the Legislature or the people of West Virginia."

"Although I joined the rest of the Cabell Delegation during the legislative session in supporting the economic development grants of such projects as Pullman Square and the Marshall University BioTechnology Center, I believe West Virginia's leaders must concentrate on making the necessary reforms that will generate new revenue streams. It is not sound policy to continue to balance our state budget with gambling revenue. Whether one supports the gambling issue or opposes it, relying on this type of revenue is a "gamble" and is not sound fiscal policy" adds Delegate Sobonya.