POPE COUNTY, Ark. (KATV) — Arkansas voters have cast their ballots and Issue 2 has been passed by a majority in the state. The amendment aimed at revoking the fourth casino license in Pope County.
Local Voters in Charge spokesperson Hans Stiritz said the power has been given back to local voters.
“We are thrilled at the passage of Issue 2,” said Stiritz. “What Issue 2 did was create a clear process that included the local voters for any future casino license or casino development. The voters seem to think that is an important thing to have and so we have that going forward now.”
Stiritz releasing this statement in regard to the election results:
The people of Arkansas have spoken today. They have given local voters the final say on casino gambling in their communities. They have spoken out in favor of reasonable limits on casino gambling expansion, which would be otherwise unchecked by the power of local voters. They do want a direct say if a casino targets their hometown.
There is now a clear and legitimate path forward for additional casinos – only now with a local option requirement. If any county in Arkansas – including Pope County – desires to have a casino, they should work with an operator through a transparent, legitimate, and fair process to add a license and also verify local voter approval.
This is a great day for the people of Arkansas: today, and every day forward, no Arkansas community will have a casino that they don’t want forced into their hometown.
The $300 million Legends Resort and Casino resort halted in its tracks.
Pope County Judge Ben Cross released a statement regarding the passage of Issue 2:
In what is undoubtedly the epitome of irony, Pope County voters definitively made their voices heard once and for all on the casino issue by soundly defeating Issue 2 in our county. While 74 other counties once again decided an issue for us, it is interesting to note those closest to the issue, our neighboring counties, likewise defeated Issue 2. The fact Issue 2 was defeated in Pope County does provide affirmation that all the hard work that Legends Resort and Casino devoted to investing in our region was validated in this election. To my fellow mayors, city councils, J.P’s, business owners, and our communities, thank you for your steadfast support of this project. In the second aspect of irony, the very group that advocated for local control, effectively ripped it away in this election by running a $17 million-dollar anti-casino campaign with another casino’s money.
The passage of Issue 2 will have a direct and regressive impact on our County, and the entire River Valley for that matter. It is simply a missed opportunity that will not be replicated in terms of scope, investment, and jobs. As a driving source of progress, from our smallest communities to our largest, they all had critical infrastructure projects relying on the significant economic investment this meant to each of them. Our schools will miss millions in new funding, our volunteer fire departments will have to sacrifice new equipment purchases, our cities will struggle for sewer and water improvements. For the County, we lose not only the direct economic development funds, we lose the opportunity for a new courthouse annex, and a host of other priority infrastructure projects that are desperately needed to provide essential services to our citizens. While I anticipate almost certain litigation will ensue, I am also acutely aware such litigation could take years to resolve with an array of possible outcomes. Therefore, we as a County, will persevere, and continue to provide the best services we can with the resources we have.
While the state passed Issue 2, Pope County did not with a final vote of 55% against the amendment and 44% for.
Dr. Robert Steinbuch, Arkansas Bar Professor of Law with UALR William H. Bowen School of Law said Cherokee Nation, who was awarded the license, could seek legal action against the state.
“They could make out a claim in takings,” said Steinbuch. “There is a lot of nuance to so-called takings law so I can’t tell you for sure whether they will be successful, but they certainly have a claim that sounds like it has some strength.”
Or, Steinbuch said, another amendment could be put forth to reinstate the fourth casino license.
“Under the claim of local control because now they will claim if you look at this most recent vote it looks like Pope County residents support a casino,” said Steinbuch.
Cherokee nation has alluded to seeking legal action
Chuck Garret, CEO of Cherokee Nation Businesses released a statement:
Issue 2 is a devastating setback to the economic future of the communities in Pope County and the state of Arkansas. As we anticipated, voters in Pope County and across the River Valley voted against Issue 2 by an overwhelming majority because they recognize the immediate economic prosperity a casino resort would bring.
Issue 2 passed statewide under the misleading pretense that it provides local control. As evidenced tonight, that could not be further from the truth.
After a more than six-year effort, this decision directly jeopardizes the immediate future of Legends Resort & Casino — and with it, the jobs, opportunities and transformative impact it promises. We have made these investments in good faith and relied on the guarantee of the fourth casino license set forth and issued in accordance with Amendment 100 approved by voters in 2018.
The community has shown overwhelming support for a project designed to deliver new jobs, boost tourism, and generate substantial tax revenue to fund essential projects, including water and sanitation improvements, volunteer fire departments, and schools.
We see a unique community with remarkable potential for growth. We are especially grateful to local leaders, including Pope County Judge Ben Cross, for their consistent support and trust.
Though this outcome alters our immediate path, we will continue to defend our investment and protect the license we fairly earned and were afforded through the constitution.
Stiritz said in regard to Pope County’s vote, Issue 2 has provided a clear path on putting a fourth casino in Arkansas.
The difference now is that local voters will have a say in if that is truly what they want for their community.
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