New Mexico clubs plan lobbying effort to change laws

Thursday, Jan. 6, 2000 | 2:42 a.m.

Representatives of the clubs should prepare to storm the Capitol when lawmakers begin debating a proposed agreement on Indian gambling, said longtime lobbyist William Previtti.

"We should be prepared to bring in the guys in uniforms, everything, the guys in wheelchairs, if they make a move to look at this," Previtti said Wednesday during meeting of club representatives.

The Legislature begins a 30-day session Jan. 18.

Lawmakers have a long list - a budget, spending on prisons and education and stronger anti-drunken-driving proposals - to get through before they are likely to discuss Indian gambling.

The proposed gambling compact negotiated by Gov. Gary Johnson and the tribes requires fraternal and veterans clubs to limit use of slot machines to members. The agreement also caps prizes at the clubs at $4,000.

A legislative committee last month recommended that gambling at fraternal and veterans clubs have no effect on the agreement.

Under law, nonprofit clubs that obtain a license are allowed no more than 15 machines. They may operate the machines no more than 12 hours a day and must pay the state a 25 percent tax on slot proceeds.

At Wednesday's meeting, veterans and fraternal club representatives could not agree on specific recommendations they would make to lawmakers.

For example, the Zia Chapter of Paralyzed Veterans of American proposed allowing nonprofit clubs to operate up to 75 machines apiece at bars, hotels and truck stops.

Another group proposed dropping the 25 percent tax to the same rate that would be paid by tribal casinos.

Joe Salas, state adjutant of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, said the clubs should set goals before spelling out specifics.

Salas also suggested the clubs work to separate their legislative goals from any push by slot machine vendors to expand the use of slot machines in the state.

Some representatives also suggested clubs do a better job educating the public about the charity work that results from their slot machine proceeds.