Funding Concerns Emerge As Gaming Commission Meets

In his opening remarks to the commission, Governor Lynch kept things pretty basic: he expects dispassionate, data-driven analysis, wholly independent from goings on at the statehouse. He said he was confident he’d chosen the right group for the task.

“You are on this committee because you all care about NH, you love NH, and I know you are willing bring an unbiased viewpoint and open mind to this discussion.”

The commission will be led by retired businessman and former UNH trustee Andy Lietz. Lietz, a self-processed gambling agnostic, said he planned to let the fact uncovered by the commission be his guide.

"I am ready for, as I am sure most commissioners are to have the data help lead them, in developing findings that we can give our public policy leaders.”

The commission plans to meet 11 more times; along the way it will model the various forms expanded gambling might take. The commission also envisions statewide polling, and will hire the New Hampshire Center for Public Policy Studies to crunch some numbers. Citizens will get to weigh in at fora. A final report will be issued in May. Donations will fund the commission’s work, at a cost Lietz estimated could top $150,000. So far the commission has commitments for $50,000 of that; all pledged by the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation, an entity led by commission member Lew Feldstein, who also sits on the advisory board of the coalition against expanded gambling. Leitzs told the commission he was seeking more money elsewhere and claimed he was sensitive to concerns about conflicts of interest.

“It’s been my thought all along that we would not want to have financial resources from people who have one position or the other -- not because their position isn’t important, but we don’t want the work to be biased in the view of people reviewing the work.”

While Lietz’s assurance seemed to go over pretty with the commissioners, it didn’t sit quite as well with some of the 10 gambling lobbyists in attendance.

“I’m a little bit concerned with Lew’s role here.”

That’s George Roberts, he represents Yankee Greyhound racing.

“The charitable organization is funding this, and he was a strong (gambling) opponent. He testified for over 30 minutes against it on behalf of the foundation.”

“I don’t believe there is a conflict there. If there is, if a conflict develops, we’ll certainly address it.”

“We’ll you and I have differences.”

Gambling opponents were meanwhile, generally more optimistic about

“I have confidence they will dig into this issue. This is a high quality commission with some really thoughtful people.”

That’s Jim Rubens who leads the coalition against expanded gambling. Fellow coalition member and Dover Representative Peter Schmidt said he hopes the commission can carry out its mission, but admits he’s concerned about its financing.

“Is it a legitimate question to say this is seeded with money from an organization that may well have a position on an issue? And where is the rest of money coming from? I mean, that’s very troubling, that they are saying we’re going to dive off the diving board and we sure as hell hope there is water in the pool.”

A spokesman for Governor Lynch says the Governor expects the commission to secure the money it needs to fulfill its duties and sees no conflicts of interest, real or perceived. The commission next meets in two weeks; it’s agenda: the state of gaming in NH.