" like Iowa is showing they are smarter than nebraska. I don't go drive to gamble but when in a town where they have it I go. How much money has nebraska lost due to the thinking of the legislature? Gambling brings problems, but, it looks like lincoln is building a new jail to house any problem people. Nebraska is so old fashioned it's surprising that there are indoor bathrooms. The people of the state need to start electing people who will progress instead of retard. i say that with tongue in cheek as I don't think progressive is building things the people don't want to pay for. The city of lincoln misleads people into thinking the mayor and council are doing things for the good of the people when the council and mayor are only looking out for their interests. "

" So the big Nevada casinos can make a bunch of money off of Nebraskans but we're supposed to be up in arms about an Indian Tribe trying to get in on the action. Come on, why does Nebraska keep doing everything in it's power to keep Native people from bettering themselves? From what I've seen, Carter Lake could use a bit of improvement anyways. "

" I guess I don't know what part of Carter Lake "Iowa" these people do not comprehend. If NE was smart, they would allow casino gambling, also. "

" the state only wants gambling if they can control it----NE Lottery. "

" Because the casinos in Council Bluffs don't "exacerbate the social ills"? How about the fact that Carter Lake is in IOWA...not Nebraska. Could you imagine if Iowa said that they didn't want us to build the baseball field by the Qwest Center because it would require infrastructure change for Iowa for the deluge of fans for CWS? What would the Governor and Bruning say then? "

" The people of Nebraska would have casino style gambling in the state if we had a legislature that could put a simple yes or no measure to a vote of the people. The proposed casino is legally in Iowa, so quit your crying. We could be benefitting from the tax revenues this will generate, but who wants to mess with the "good life" of paying the highest taxes in the area?! "

" Freedom, personal respnsbility, free markets....I thought Republicans are supposed to be for these ideals.

It is obvious these casinos are filling a strong demand in Nebraska "

" Oh brother! Not only can Nebraskans not enjoy the income associated with having casinos, now we don't want other states to enjoy it either. "

" What "social ills" will a casino in Carter Lake cause that aren't already caused by those in Council Bluffs? The most significant social ill is the siphoning off of tax dollars to Iowa that would otherwise come into Nebraska if we had a reasonable gaming structure. In this case the Governor is either blundering ahead in his usual small-minded fashion or, what's more likely, he's pandering to our in-state keno/horseracing interests who feel financially threatened by the possibility of casino gaming in the state. "

" Oh, just get over it and allow gambling in Nebraska. "

" Good for you Governor. "

" It is not Nebraska land. Deal with it. Treat it like any other business. We don't hear anyone complain about the "social ills" when a new bar opens! "

" It's sad that we can't come up with better economic development solutions and ideas other than casino gambling. It is so wasteful on so many levels. "

" Man i guess someone should of told the Governor that gaming is already allowed in Iowa. Is their not gaming places less than a few miles away already?.

Man he really taking charge amd telling another State what they should be doing!. I guess it is easier too take on issues that he can not change only to have something to do or make it seem it he is doing something.

I wonder what finger he used to see what way the wind was blowing when he decided to take on the this worthless cause! "

" Hey Dave, a little late on this one. Ever drive I-80 across the border and look to the left? Better yet, drive through the parking lot and notice at least 80% of the license plates are identical to yours? Omaha keeps those casinos alive and Iowa is laughing, and laughing hard as they bathe in piles of Nebraska money ala Scrooge McDuck. So what's one more casino? At least this one, money will go to a Native American tribe, we probably owe them for the land anyway. "

" If we don’t get slot machines for the horse racing tracks we can all kiss goodbye Thoroughbred Racing in Nebraska within the next 5 years. "

" Sounds like a bunch of baloney to me. But what do you expect from our illustrious Governor Dave. "

" We need something in this state for revenue besides a detorating Chimney Rock. Any Mr Gov as a relief to this heavy tax burden. So what about gambling, if you don't want to gamble don't go. Same concept as drinking, it's here, if you don't drink, don't buy it. It's not like the "boats" are hundreds of miles away. We are too conservative for our own good and our state is being a burden to it's people. "

" Rather nervy for the governor of Nebraska to be suggesting to the people and government of Iowa what they can and can't do. Nervy bah..its ridiculous. Govern Nebraska Dave and don't worry about what Iowa is or isn't going to do. Last I checked Iowa and Nebraska were 2 separate state, and quite honestly its really none of your business "

" People in Nebraska are spending millions yearly in other states, supporting their economy, while our taxes here do nothing but go up. Let Casinos come to Nebraska, we are surrounded and missing the boat. Figure it out people! We wouldn't even have to worry about where funding for new arenas, etc. would be coming from... "

" Nebraska can figure it out, it just usually doesn't benefit the people....higher taxes. "

" Why is this any of our business at all, Governor? Take care of the things in Nebraska before you try to interfere in something that is absolutely out of your area of responsibility. People who don't like it shouldn't go there. You included. But otherwise...none of your beeswax, as they used to say. "

" so Nebraska doesn't want gambling because of all the social ills connected
with it. But the leaders sure don't mind taxing their citizens to the
brink and only allowing college degreed jobs. A life long Nebraskan had
to move to an assisted living home in Iowa because the person couldn't
afford to spend the rest of her life in her home state. How sad, but this
is the norm! Its not only the youth leaving! But I doubt Nebraska will
ever wake up, because 50 years ago my parents use to say Nebraskans were
the most bullheaded people there are. Take a look at this state, except
for Omaha it has regressed and continues. My goodness, when someone
wanted to build an auto race track and the leaders put the brakes on it
then shove the state fair out, - you tell me what next, there isn't anything left to shove!! As someone said the other day to me, "this is
the most worthless state in the U.S." For crap sakes PROGRESS but quit
digging the taxpayers, they are BROKE!! Ya can't grow and build over night, but for the last 50 years, where on earth has this state been????
Talk about LAZY, yep Nebraska is Number 1 in that too!!!!!!!!! A good
indication is, in one of the town's, with 3 ro 4 running for mayor, on
running stated, "they would put an Albertson's grocery in their town."
Well again, that proposed mayor elect apparently didn't know there isn't
an Albertson grocery anymore!!!! Yeah, Nebraska is really on the ball!!! "

" Jon is right on. Nebraska is losing mega bucks to Council Bluffs casinos, and Carter Lake will just be an add-on. Nebraska could certainly use the money. I'd respect more those who use their "moral ground" as a reason to prohibit casinos if the same people didn't condone having a state lottery and horse racing. How two-faced can one get! We're seeing daylight through the holes in your stance. "

" First of all, I agree with the majority of the comments on here. The main point is the casino is proposed to be built in IOWA, NOT NEBRASKA, so why does Heineman and Bruning keep sticking their noses into this situation? Seems to me like they both have a personal problem with Indian Tribes in general! Would they REALLY think this way if it wasn't for the fact that it is an Indian tribe looking to build it? I highly doubt it! Sounds to me like a race issue! "

" If physical location is in Iowa, then why should Nebraska have anything to say about what occurs in a state that he isn't attempting to screw up.

I reside in Las Vegas and we have many casios. The problems with gaming isn't going to effect the majority of population, but will effect those that will allow gaming to control their lives.

Gaming adds employment and money into the staete, which last time looked Nebraska was really burning up the list for states that acutally made money. Although gaming does add negative aspects on the darker side of life, it also adds income and employment which I'm sure the State of Nebraska needs. Correct me if I'm wrong.... "

" Wake up Ne we still have those social lls even without the casinos being here. Might as well get some of the revenue to help offset the ill's and there might be enough left to lower the taxes. Council Bluffs has the best of both worlds. They have gaming and a lot of the social ills come back to NE, thus they have more money in their pot. "

" If the infrastructure costs are the only concern, make the developer
pay for the costs. "

" Which one tends to cause more damage? This is the part of Nebraskans that I can't stand. While talking about the ills of gambling they hold their Bud Lite high. It takes a lot for me to be embarrassed to be from Nebraska, but this hypocrisy is ridiculous. "

" we probably wouldn't have to build a new jail if Nebraska would outlaw
drinking!! Seems kind of silly, to outlaw gambling, yet have the lottary
and drinking. All those people your filling the jails up with, are they
just the ones caught speeding and maybe knitting in public???? Ya let down your morals and gamble once, your probably gonna gamble again. But
I just bet if you buy a lottary ticket or take a drink, your not going to
stop at one time. If so why does Lincoln have a downtown full of bars,
bars, bars. Thats like some parents teaching their kids to drink liquor
"socially." I've seen alot of those kind end up in "lovely" jails or
morgues or laying on the street panhandling!!! "

" Now, to be consistent, Gov. Heineman should also oppose the lottery, keno, and scratch-off games. Oh, that's right, they get to tax those. "

" "Nebraska’s governor is voicing concerns about a proposed casino in Iowa on land near the Nebraska-Iowa border."
What do you consider Council Bluffs? Heineman is not very bright.
"

" If Omaha will have to pay infrastructure costs - and they will, especially in road construction - make the road to the casino a toll road and soak the people using the road. "

" This is all just Governor Dave doing some political posturing to show that he still backs traditional "Nebraska" values, while offering a token, meaningless gesture that he knows full well will have no impact whatsoever. Haven't we had enough of that in this country? If anyone seriously believes this will have any effect on the decision makers in another state, they are sadly fooling themselves. All this can simply be summed up as a politician being a politician. After all his proclamations about the social ills of gambling, will Governor Heineman publicly sign a sworn statement that he, or anyone else in his cabinet, has NEVER gambled at the casinos in Iowa? A word to the wise, Dave, don't ever consider running for public office in any other state than Nebraska. (But if you do, take your Attorney General with you, please?) Thanks for reading. "

" you can say Iowa is 10 times smarter than Nebraska. Sad but true. Lets see, we have no mountains,ocean or anything else to make money off of so lets at least have something! I would vote for casinos to lower my taxes. Thanks for looking out for the people who voted you in Dave, now please get a clue!!! "

" It seems that the gamblers are coming out of the cracks and cranies to make comment without the slightest notion what expense Omaha will encounter as a result of this deception. The infrastructure involves ongoing police and fire protection, road maintenance and court system activities around the inevitable crime that results from persons desperate to chase their loses and hide their addiction. The moral compass of most of the comments submitted thus far would lead me to believe there are many persons who are not only selfish but lack the intelligence to know when they are being duped. Gambling is a VICE and is designated such because it profits some at the expense of others whom they deceive with false promises. The profits fall largely in the hands of a few unscrupulous individuals who would exploit their neighbors. I applaud the actions of our Governor and other community leaders who can look through the lens of what represents the common good. Thank you Governor and other leaders. "

" This casino would effect Omaha more than the other casino's. It will be on the drive from Eppley to the Qwest Center. Every out of town visitors will have to see it as they com into downtown Omaha. It will take away revenue from Omaha (and Nebraska) hotels, taxis and restaurants. This makes a much bigger economic impact than all other posts are acknowledging. I actually am proud of our governor for once, along with Sen. Hagel, Rep. Terry and Mayor Fahey for sending opposition to any casino in Carter lake, which is surrounded by Omaha. "

" Everyone keeps "asking" why Heineman is sticking his nose in Iowa's business. According to the article, Omaha is going to have to pay for the project. I think a better question is - why is Nebraska paying to build a casino in "Iowa". "

" Way to waste your time Dave, as well as the time of the Iowa gaming officials. I'm sure they are VERY concerned about what you think about a decision that has already been made.
Nebraska could have had casino gambling and be making some money to provide tax relief, but instead we have a few standing on their 'no gambling' principles so their fellow Nebraskans have to cross the border into Iowa, Kansas, South Dakota or Missouri to gamble.
No thank you, Nebraska doesn't want any of that dirty gambling money!
Except of course for keno, the lottery, and pull tabs.
I forget. What do the terms 'hypocritical' and 'short-sighted' mean?
"

" Hmm maybe we would have money to pay for the infrastructure if you let the casinos into Nebraska. It seems like every year we try and tell our block head government that but they don't seem to listen. Jeesh "

" How bout this Dave. Oh you want a road there so people can get to the casino? Hey we will build it if you pay for it. If not we aren't that worried about it. They'll get there if they want to. You don't have to do anything. "

" All Nebraska needs to do is place toll roads on the roadways leading out of Nebraska into Carter Lake Iowa. This way the state can benefit from gambling without saying we support gambling. If the visitors don;t want to pay the toll they can stay on the Iowa side of the river or ask the state of Iowa to build them a bridge across the Missouri river "

" What's the big deal? The existing Iowa casino's across the river are already near the Nebraska border. What's a few feet in a different location? "

" Why is this such a big deal? There are family problems without any casinos. Drugs, alcohol, problems are everywhere. In stead of screwing the working class and keep raising taxes, why not make some revenue from gambling? I am sick and tired of paying high taxes. Why not hold the indivudal responsible for their own actions? Not the blam on a casino. What a crock!!! "

" Why our governor is opposing it. build some in nebraska and keep all the money. does the governor think council bluffs people are supporting other 3 casinos across the river. by the way, it is easier to go across the river than Carter Lake. "

" Nebraska is so backwoods and uptight, let the casinos in. Then let the state use the money for property tax relief. Taxes in Nebraska are way too high. "

" I wish the LJS gave us more to go on with this article - i.e. more text from the letter to the Sect. of Interior. Because even to this non-Heineman support, he ends up looking like an idiot for sticking his nose in Iowa's business.

However, I suspect that if the article was written better we would see his objection to Omaha being stuck with the costs and impact of infrastructure actually has some merit.

But if Iowa is going to (rightfully) pick up the tab, then this is a non-issue and falls under standard issue posturing by the Johanns/Heineman/Bruning regime. "

" Doesn't Council Bluffs have the highest rate of bankruptcies in all of Iowa now? Fat lot of good the casinos did them. Casinos are a business run by greedy corporations. They are designed to benefit the owners. They do not benefit the taxpayers. Period. "

" It amuses me that most of the commentors are so ill-informed that they fail to realize that Indian Casino's don't have to pay taxes to Omaha, Nebraska, of anyone else. The State of Iowa will not get taxes either. Get your facts straight instead of just promoting your own interest. It might help those slot-sitters to just plain "get a life!" "

" Wow, I cannot believe how influential he is! If anybody did something against my religeous beliefs, I'd right them a letter telling them NO, just like our holy governer! Praise he who calls himself him! "

" It is no coincidence that EVERY county that borders Iowa voted in favor of gambling the last time it came up for vote. Clearly, eastern Nebraskans want gambling in Nebraska. I'm tired of Bruning and Heinemen not only opposing gambling in Nebraska, but also trying to prevent Natives from benefiting from gambling in ANOTHER STATE! "

" Mr. Heineman please try to find some time in your schedule to govern the State of Nebraska. This is an Iowa issue. Perhaps you could spend time addressing why Nebraska has the worst tax burden per capita of any of it's neighboring states. Perhaps you could write a letter in support of our neighboring states raising taxes to make Nebraska's taxes look comparatively better. You might also want to dismount your high horse and advocate the elimination of all forms of gambling in the State of Nebraska to eliminate the social ills associated with problem gambling. Now that would be a position most of us could respect regardless of where we all stand on the gambling issue. You look like a fool. Never again will I vote for you. "

" Keep your comments focused on your support of gambling, and not on whether or not our governor has the right to express his views about what is going on in Iowa. If Iowa wanted to put a nuclear waste dump at Carter Lake (which is surrounded by Omaha-how many of you posters have even been there?), then you would be criticizing him if he DIDN'T say anything about what Iowa was doing. "

" If the Nebraska doesn't want anything to do with it, then refuse to pay for any development or upkeep of the infrastructure. Make Iowa pay to bring it all in and to continue to provide for it. Seems like a good way to make Iowa help out with the $72 million we'll be paying Kansas pretty soon. It seems to me that we can't really stop it, but we don't really have to help with it and we certainly don't have to not benefit from it at all. (this is beyond the fact that Nebraska should have gambling, but unfortunately that isn't the debate here). "

" Of course Governor Heineman can express his views on anything he wants. I've been to Carter Lake and it is in Iowa and it is Iowa's business, not Nebraska's business. To compare gambling to issues of Nuclear Waste Dumps is an exercise in the ridiculous. If I had my way I would outlaw gambling everywhere in the world, but we don't live in the kind of world where one person or a group of persons has the right to impose it's will or desires on everyone. If Nebraska doesn't want casino gambling that's fine. If Iowa wants it, that's fine too. It's implied that somehow Omaha/Nebraska will be required to pay for infrastructure. I would like to see the proof of that. If it's simply an issue of increased traffic on Omaha roads that will need to be maintained or improved, well hasn't Nebraska and Omaha already accomodated that with the increased traffic to Council Bluffs since the inception of gambling? Should Iowa and Council Bluffs be required to pay for infrastructure because of the Qwest Center or the new stadium(someone already tried that with the stadium)? How far does a person or society want to carry out these really silly discussions about who is responsible for what and to what degree. Accountability, liability and responsibility are all wonderful things, but if carried to far it leads to extremist thinking and decisions. "

" I remember when you had to be next to god to even play BINGO in Nebraska. Be advised, the Bluffs area still has major tax problems even with the CASINOS. "

" Is it because more money will pour out of Nerbaska? ITs not our business what Iowa does. Sorry Gov. we had our chance and we messed it up. So what if Iowa cleans up more of our money. Maybe we need to adopt a casino plan too. Then my property tax would be so burdened to pay for your projects. "

" An option that should be considered is to allow casino's in Nebraska (so we can recieve the tax breaks) but only with-in 20 miles of an existing casino (that way we don't expand the "social ills associated with problem gambling" significantly.).... Just a thought from an under educated idiot. "

" Pretty soon our great governor and AG will outlaw the internet because it is too immoral. "

" Oh, forgot to mention that Council Bluffs installed revenue-generating (not safety-enhancing) red-light cameras recently. Apparently the huge "tax-windfalls" that come with casinos haven't benefited them... "

" Whatever else you think about casinos, please be aware that for every job they "create" another job is lost in the local economy (restaurants close, small businesses go under when trusted employees embezzle funds, etc.). Whatever else gambling may offer, it does not and never has lived up to its false promise of economic development. Roughly one third of the funds gambled in Iowa leave Iowa; more would stay in the local economy if the casinos were not there. Add another casino and you add more money leaving the local economy. And how anyone can still think that casinos offer tax relief is beyond me. The most conservative studies show societies pay at least twice as much for the social costs related to casinos than the money those casinos provide in taxes. Add another casino and you just make the problem worse. Kudos to the good sense of Nebraska's governor to follow the lead of the good sense of Nebraska's citizens in opposing casino gambling. "

" Hey these are the good old "Nebraska Values" promised to you by him and Bruning. "

" I think its about time to let the people be responsible for themselves in this state. Ol Dave seems like he doesnt think that Nebraksans can handle themselves and be responsible. There is going to be those who aren't responsible enough to handle it but don't let those people ruin for everybody else. "

" What is the gov of NE so scared of? I don't get it but it seems like they are afraid of progress. Its freekin ridiculous. We are stuck in the 20s someone help. Lighten up a little bit and start thinking outside the box and you might see a lot more money and growth in the state. "

" Casinos are for entertainment. The reason football is such a big deal is because that is all there is to do for fun in this god for saken state. Don't get me wrong, love football but there is alot of people out there who wonder why it is such a big deal here and that is why. "

" Since Nebraska would not benefit (thinking tax wise) from the casino, I do not think they should have to pay for the necessary infrastructure. BUT Nebraska needs to quit trying to run its residents' lives. I go to the casinos in Iowa, I do not see extra crime around there. I see people having fun. For the most part, older people are in there. We have lots of young drunk people downtown that are rowdier than those casinos! People do not need someone to tell them what is moral. Nebraska needs casinos, it may help lower taxes...(its irritating to see gas at least 20 cents cheaper!) "