news-record.com

RALEIGH — An association that represents state employees and the caucus for African American legislators will back efforts to legalize video poker at a news conference planned for today.

Rep. Earl Jones, a Greensboro Democrat, sponsored the bill. The state has twice outlawed video gaming in the past decade, but operators have found ways to skirt the law. Jones argues that making video poker legal could raise $500 million a year.

Other lawmakers have been working to strengthen the state’s video poker ban and get rid of so-called video sweepstakes machines. Attorney General Roy Cooper said Monday he hoped legislative action would allow police to charge video poker operators.

The State Employees Association of North Carolina represents 55,000 members and is a potent lobbying force at the General Assembly.

“I would submit to you that video gaming is happening all over the state, and we need to regulate it and collect the revenue,” said Dana Cope, executive director for SEANC.

The state faces what Democratic lawmakers describe as a $4 billion-plus shortfall next year. In addition to raising taxes, lawmakers have considered layoffs, furloughs and pay cuts.

The N.C. Legislative Black Caucus has nine senators and 21 House members. The group is an important voting bloc among Democrats who control the House and Senate.

“We’ve got overwhelming support in our group,” said Rep. Alma Adams, a Greensboro Democrat and the head of the caucus. “We think it’s a viable option.”

Adams said the money could help stave off potential cuts to the education budget while minimizing tax increases.

Contact Mark Binker at (919) 832-5549 or mark.binker@news-record.com