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43 °F Forecast | Road Cams Thursday, January 27, 2005 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics Tempo AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map SPECIAL SECTIONS Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Menu Guide How To Guide Wellness Connection Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Real Estate Guide Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Wedding Guide Passport to the Rogue Valley EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People Volunteer Opportunities Moving to Southern Oregon? MARKETPLACE Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Classifieds Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend December 26, 2004 Since WE Asked: Betting On The Future In the Sunday, Dec. 26 paper, the Mail Tribune began a series on the role of the state lottery in procuring funds to help offset budget cuts. The latest plan is to have video slot machines up-and-running this summer that would raise money to help put more Oregon State Police troopers on the roads. Some folks, though, are concerned with the state relying on a potentially addictive method of raising money, no matter how needed the purpose. With that in mind, we asked: "What do you think about the state's increasing reliance on the lottery, video slots and other gaming outlets to pay for state services?" Advertisement Your answers follow. After reading through them, please take a moment to answer our new question. It’s your chance to sound off about those newsmakers who dominated 2004. In the 1980s OSP had approximately 800 troopers; now just over 300. The lottery funds schools and other interests. The population has not reduced nor has vehicle registrations. OSP needs dedicated funding. — Jeff P., Medford I think it’s a great deal. Oregonians seem to enjoy losing money in machines or whatever, rather than paying taxes. — Neill S., Medford We are one of the highest taxed states and they need a lottery? I think the state needs an overhaul; no more special interest projects! — Helen B., Shady Cove The state ought not to be in the business of supporting gambling. Like liquor and tobacco, it just contributes to personal and social ills. Using them as a tax base sends the wrong message about values. — Dan M., Ashland "Betting for the Budget!" Makes an Oregonian right proud! What next? Get real! — Art H., Medford Whatever it takes to find funding for state services! — C. Jones, Talent Not as fair as a sales tax. Not every one declares their total income. Give everyone a chance to share the cost of freedom. — Bill H., Medford It is degrading and wrong; a regressive tax. State residents need to pay for these services equally. Education needs permanent legitimate funding. — Doug M., Medford Install the video slots inside the sheriff’s department. The state won't discriminate. It's not illegal to gamble your paycheck, attract trash, or fund rehab. — Barbara, Medford As OSP Superintendent Ron Ruecker stated to us recently: "If lottery money is good enough for schools, then it is good enough for us." — K.P. Roach, Sr. Trooper, OSP, Klamath Falls Gambling makes the rich richer and the poor poorer; so it is perfectly consistent with the new direction America has taken. — Darryl E., Eagle Point I say, more power to them. To fund any service without being forced to, by some new tax law that many of us can’t afford, is a real plus. This way, being voluntary, has got to be the best way to go in my opinion. — Alan F., Trail Our legislators don’t have the courage to get it right, so we are forced to rely on gambling to support our state. Wrong idea. — Lee H., Medford This Week’s Question Scott Peterson. Michael Jackson. Paris Hilton. Blogging. SpongeBob SquarePants. Cloned kittens. Scoring at Olympic events. Red states. Blue states. Desperate Housewives. Reality shows. Michael Jackson. ... what, we already mentioned him? Well, he deserves a second go-round. Yup, we’re ending a bizarre little year all right. Columnist Dave Barry takes a look back in the Life section of the Sunday, Dec. 26, Mail Tribune but, as always, we’re really more interested in what you think. Want something to ... just ... go ... AWAY? Here’s your chance. You tell us; we’ll see what we can arrange. We ask: "What person or event that was in the news during 2004 do you wish disappears from the headlines during 2005?" Please keep your answers brief and on the issue at hand. Responses received without your name and town can not be considered for publication. All responses will appear on the Web site a week from today. You may submit your answer by using the form here on the Web site, or you may respond directly to [email protected] Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2005 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? 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