The clock is ticking on the Iowa Legislature for a bill to assist the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission (IRGC).

District 24 Senator Jesse Green (R-Boone) serves on the Senate State Government Committee and one main topic is whether or not to have a casino moratorium. He tells Raccoon Valley Radio that when the topic about not allowing anymore casinos in the state for a certain number of years, he is constantly asking himself if it is appropriate for the legislature to make that call or give that authority to the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission, who approves all casino licenses and allows new casinos to be built. Green comments on what he initially thinks as a bill continues to be discussed in committee.

“I don’t think it’s a real healthy conversation to be having so frequently within the legislature. And there’s a reason we have the Racing and Gaming Commission Board, and let’s say the Iowa Utilities Board, and we nominate people to serve on these boards to make educated and research data-based decisions as to how to regulate these industries.” 

Green believes the legislature should, at the very least, establish perimeters for how the IRGC makes their determinations when it comes to the future of gambling in the state. He adds the legislature needs to move on this because the IRGC is set to vote on approving a new casino license for Cedar Rapids on February 6th.