COUNCILMAN LORINO STATEMENT REGARDING PROPOSED CASINO

The St. Tammany Parish Council takes no position regarding any proposals on the upcoming election ballot. As Chairman, I would like to address the recent inquiries we have received that are related to unfounded accusations against the Council, specifically about a nonexistent future casino development in West St. Tammany Parish. To be totally clear, the only proposed gaming development with any possibility of coming to St. Tammany Parish is the one on the December 11 ballot. The results of that vote will have no influence over whether any other gaming development could be considered in the future, as each and any future proposal would individually have to go through the entire Louisiana Legislative process and then to a vote of St. Tammany Parish residents.

A second item I would like to clarify is that St. Tammany Parish will be issuing absolutely zero dollars in bonds for any proposed gaming development. There is false information circulating that states the Parish will be raising over $200 million in bonds to fund construction if the proposition passes on December 11. There is absolutely no truth to that statement.

Finally, as of today the Louisiana Supreme Court has determined that early voting on the gaming proposition will continue, and I want to encourage every citizen of St. Tammany Parish to please exercise your right to vote in this election. Whether you are opposed or support the gaming proposition, the only way to ensure that the result of this election truly reflects the voices of our parish residents is to go to the polls!