Detroit Free Press Editorial: Casino proposal needs a reality check

Even if you believe more casinos would improve Michigan's economy -- a dubious proposition -- a new petition drive to put approval of seven more casinos on the ballot has little to recommend it.

There are so many things wrong here, in fact, that it's hard to know where to begin. Under the terms cited on the back of the petition, a single company would operate the casinos or award the rights to operate -- no bidding to get the best value, no hint as to what the basic standards might be, or who would stand to gain from awarding the lucrative licenses.

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Our Voice: Forget casinos; Saginaw should concentrate on alternative energy to create jobs

If Saginaw wishes to leave its economy to chance, then a casino would be the way to go. 

The smarter option, of course, is to continue pursuing job creation through sources such as the alternative energy industry that already is gaining ground in what is being called the Solar Valley.

Recently, Michigan Is Yours dusted off plans for a ballot initiative to allow corporate-owned casinos to be built in six places around the state, including Saginaw.

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Proposals for Flint area casinos fall flat, will not be on November ballot

Flint Journal 

GENESEE COUNTY, Michigan — Two separate efforts to bring casinos to the Flint area hit a wall this week when organizers failed to get enough signatures to put the issue on the November ballot.

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Corporate casino initiative fails

Muskegon Chronicle

LANSING — A ballot initiative that would have allowed for seven more corporate casinos in Michigan, including one in Muskegon, has failed.

A coalition called Michigan Is Yours, which pushed the casino-expansion proposal, did not turn in the voter signatures needed — more than 380,000 — to make the Nov. 2 ballot by Monday’s deadline, according to state election officials.

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Poll: Michigan voters won't back more casinos

Michigan voters appear to be less than enthusiastic about a ballot proposal to develop up to eight new casinos in the state, and don’t believe promised benefits – like more jobs and more money for schools – will be delivered, according to a poll released this week by a coalition opposed to the expansion.

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