Opponents of a casino legalization proposal disqualified by the Arkansas Supreme Court say the ruling sends a message to companies who want to write special rights for themselves into the state constitution. Casino supporters say the decision will prevent voters from taking up a proposal that would create thousands of new jobs.
Chuck Lange, the chairman of Protect Arkansas Values/Stop Casinos Now, said he was pleased that justices agreed Thursday with his group’s argument that the proposed constitutional amendment was misleading to voters. Lange’s group was funded by a Hot Springs horse track and a West Memphis dog track that offer video poker and other forms of electronic gambling.
Robert Coon, a spokesman for Arkansas Wins in 2016, said he was disappointed in the decision and that it would deny Arkansans the chance to vote on a proposal that he projected would create $122 million in additional annual tax revenue for the state.
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