AR-News: (AK) "Pull-tab sales won't go to dogs under bill"

[Glickman37 at aol.com]

Article Published: Monday, February 23, 2004 

Pull-tab sales won't go to dogs under bill
By TOM MORAN
News-Miner Juneau Bureau

JUNEAU--Dog mushing organizations are howling in protest at a proposal in the 
state Legislature that would ban them from earning money through pull-tab 
sales.

"If you go around the state, most of your dog mushing events are all funded 
by pull-tab sales," said Dave Lambert, a former Alaska Dog Mushers Association 
president who now sells pull tabs for ADMA and for other organizations. 
"Without the pull tabs, a lot of your dog mushing races are going to cease."

The proposal to cut mushing groups out of pull-tab gaming is included in a 
bill introduced Feb. 16 by Anchorage Democratic Sen. Hollis French. French's 
bill would also remove political organizations and "trade associations," such as 
chambers of commerce, from the list of groups that can profit from pull tabs.    
    

The bill's origins lie in a two-person panel consisting of French and Sen. 
Ralph Seekins, R-Fairbanks, that held several meetings over the legislative 
interim to discuss the pull-tab industry. Under state law, a diverse collection of 
organizations are allowed to make money off of pull-tabs, and part of 
Seekins' and French's charge was to consider whether pull tab sales should be 
restricted to give groups more strictly defined as "charities" more of a chance to 
compete for money.

"There is definitely overcrowding in the pull-tab arena," French said. "This 
is one way to alleviate some of that overcrowding." 

French and Seekins presented their findings to the committee, but there was 
little consensus among any of them on the matter. With last Monday's deadline 
for filing personal legislation approaching, French said he spoke to Seekins 
and crafted a bill based on the three areas on which the two of them could 
agree. "I put the bill together to salvage something out of that subcommittee 
process," French said.

Seekins distanced himself somewhat from the inclusion of dog mushing on the 
list when asked about it on Wednesday, suggesting that a "hypothetical" idea 
may have worked its way into the bill and noting that French wrote the measure 
on deadline while Seekins was out of town. But Seekins also said he wanted 
mushers on the list so he could be informed about how much pull-tab money they 
make, and why they need it.

"I don't think it is a serious slap at the dog mushers, more of an inquiry," 
Seekins said. "Are you guys involved? How much? What does it mean to you? 
That's what the committee process is for."

If the bill were to be passed in its present form, it would affect mushing 
groups and races throughout the state. In 2001-02, 25 different mushing groups 
held pull tab permits, including the Iditarod Trail Committee, the Yukon Quest, 
the Alaska Dog Mushers Association, the Fairbanks Junior Dog Mushers and many 
village groups. Mushing organizations grossed $8.2 million through gaming 
that year, though that includes other categories besides pull tabs.

Layne St. John, executive director of the American side of the Yukon Quest 
International Dog Sled Race, said the Quest made about $102,000 off 
gaming--including both pull tabs and raffles--last year, out of a budget just short of 
$500,000 on the American side. He said losing the money would have a huge effect.

"It would be a disaster for the Quest," he said. "It would set us back 10 
years."

About 15 to 20 percent of the Fairbanks-based Alaska Dog Mushers 
Association's roughly $200,000 annual budget comes from pull tabs, according to ADMA 
president Dave Partee. He said the money goes toward a variety of uses, such as 
maintaining the group's Mushers Hall and paying administrative costs. Losing 
pull-tab money "would hurt our operation in every way," Partee said.

Lambert said the loss of revenue would cripple mushing statewide. He said he 
felt mushing's inclusion in the bill was arbitrary and unfair, noting that 
scores of other groups that sell pull tabs don't fit the definition of charity. 
He argues that mushing plays an important role in Alaska, showcasing the state 
to Outsiders. 

St. John says it boosts the Interior's quality of life and its economy.

"Talk to the businesses in this community--would they like to see the Yukon 
Quest halt? I don't think so," St. John said. "We really spur the economy at a 
very slow time of year."

Both Seekins and French said their intention was not to single out dog 
mushing. 

"If this group can come forward and show us that this is the type of money 
that they can't live without, then we'll take a look at it," French said. "No 
one's trying to wreck dog mushing or pick on dog mushers', there's no desire to 
hurt them at the exclusion of other groups."

Seekins expressed similar sentiments, saying he would "probably" remove 
mushing groups from the list if he sees evidence that they deserve and need the 
money. And he stressed that the bill would have to go through multiple committees 
in both the Senate and House before it could become law, and is subject to 
changes every step of the way.

"No one's in any jeopardy yet," Seekins said. "This is on the table ... now 
we have to discuss it, to see whether or not we're going to take any action."

The two had an easier time agreeing on the other two groups that would be 
excluded: They argue that political organizations don't much fit the bill of 
charities, and that groups like chambers of commerce are better-funded through 
membership dues. "These are business organizations that should be able to stand 
on their own two feet," French said.

Both said they expect the bill to get a hearing in the Senate Labor & 
Commerce Committee and it has also been referred to the Senate Finance Committee. 

Reporter Tom Moran can be reached at tmoran at newsminer.com or (907)463-4893.

http://www.news-miner.com/Stories/0,1413,113~7244~1973885,00.html 

    
    
    


    

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