WHEN GOVERNMENT REALLY WANTS TO DO SOMETHING...

The Mississippi Legislature goes into special session today to decide several issues in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Primary of these is a bill which would allow land-based casinos along the Mississippi Gulf Coast...as long as 1) they are located within 1,500 feet of the water, and 2) owners must have a casino, hotel, or other facility on the beach.

When the Magnolia State allowed casino gambling, it was with the condition that the casinos must be floating on the water...a comprimise with church organizations, most notably the Mississippi Baptist Convention, which opposed gambling. When Katrina struck nearly a month ago, the industry was nearly wiped out with casinos and the barges they were on being swept upon the shore, in a case or two a half mile inland! The gaming industry has been seeking this legislation.

The Mississippi Tax Commission predicts a loss of between $213 million and $272 million dollars in revenue just from September to the end of the year.