Gasaway, Wilkinson on Casino Gambling, Education
By Charlie Bauder, WNEG Radio, Toccoa
50th District State Senator John Wilkinson and 28th District State Representative Dan Gasaway are also talking about the casino gambling issue and other topics on the agenda this session.
Gasaway says he wants to hear from the citizens on casino gambling and how they feel about it.
“I do not have a sense of where people are,” said Gasaway. “I know where I stand. It is not really something I support, but when you go to the capacity John and I are in, we represent thousands of people, it is not our individual vote. You are trying to develop a sense of the people’s will on it and we know if it goes on the ballot, it will pass.”
Gasaway says while casino gambling would potentially have a short-term benefit on the revenue side, there are a lot of negatives that come with it.
Senator Wilkinson agrees.
Wilkinson said legalizing casino gambling may not be in the best interest of the state.
“There is a real downside, with the crime and the people spending food money and children being neglected,” said Wilkinson.
Wilkinson also wants to hear from the voters on the casino issue.
As for education, Wilkinson said he expects legislators to closely look at recommendations that have come from a task force on education funding.
He said he expects changes to the state’s education funding formula to be considered.
“My goal is to be an advocate for education,” said Wilkinson. “Education is important at all levels. We spend over half our state’s budget on education and we need to spend it in an efficient, effective manner. I really feel we do that for the most part.”
Gasaway said it is important to make sure that what ever is done is fair to rural Georgia.
He said that as the metropolitan areas continue to grow in the state, that will be something to constantly keep in mind.
“That is an issue, not only for this session and this education reform, but all future things we watch, how do we make sure rural Georgia does not get left behind?” said Gasaway.