Officials Might Not Get to Vote on Casino

State laws may prohibit the City Council from taking a formal stand on a controversial casino initiative that would affect Los Alamitos Race Course, City Atty. John E. Cavanaugh said Wednesday.

“Council members can certainly speak individually--that’s their 1st Amendment right. But state law might prohibit the council from doing anything else,” Cavanaugh said.

“The reason is public funds,” he said. “City officials cannot use public funds to take political positions, and even if they just pass a resolution, someone might argue the printing of the resolution cost money.”

Cavanaugh said Proposition 73, which prohibits elected officials from using taxpayer-paid mailers for political purposes, also may be applicable.

The council had been poised to vote on the casino initiative earlier this week, but Cavanaugh urged them to delay action until he could do more research.

At issue is a statewide initiative that would amend the state Constitution to legalize casino gambling at Los Alamitos Race Course in Cypress. The measure also would allow casinos at Santa Anita Race Course, Hollywood Park, Bay Meadows in San Mateo and Golden Gate Fields Race Course in Albany.

Backers of the initiative need 693,230 signatures to put it on the ballot in June 1998. If that happens and it is approved, it would override all existing state and city laws on gambling and alcoholic beverage control.

The proposal would allow casinos, including slot machines, to operate 24 hours a day year-round at the five racetracks.