House favors rule on casino support

The House on Tuesday approved a bill that would require local letters of support for casinos to come from county judges and mayors in office at the time a company applies for a license.

The Arkansas Racing Commission last month adopted an identical rule, but Rep. Vivian Flowers, D-Pine Bluff, told lawmakers on Tuesday that a law would further ensure local support for casinos in Jefferson and Pope counties as allowed by Amendment 100 to the Arkansas Constitution, which voters approved last year.

[RELATED: Complete Democrat-Gazette coverage of the Arkansas Legislature]

Senate Bill 185 by Sen. Breanne Davis, R-Russellville, was filed in response to outgoing local officials from Pope County writing letters in support of a casino there despite local opposition to casino development.

The bill now heads to Gov. Asa Hutchinson.

-- Hunter Field

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