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Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
Re: Veto Senate Bill 1369 Dear Governor Schwarzenegger: This letter is in opposition of the Senate Bill 1369. This bill will directly affect the ability for charities to raise funds in an already difficult climate. SB 1369 will make it difficult to raise already desperately needed funds by banning charities from using electronic bingo machines for fundraising purposes. We represent the (Insert name of non profit here) and we need your help to stop them by vetoing SB 1369. (insert non-profit) does not support SB 1369 as it will negatively impact the future of our fundraising efforts. This bill restricts bingo fundraising to a small amount of large statewide charities and hurts the ability for small community-based charities to raise funds. This “Trojan Horse” bill claims to establish remote caller bingo – this will not help all non-profit organizations across California - just large statewide charities. Many charities will be forced to shut down for lack of funding. This includes organizations and groups that help children and people with disabilities, groups that work to prevent homelessness and work with orphaned and abandoned children to provide kids with meals, shelter and education, also rehabilitation programs for US war veterans. If SB 1369 passes, the ultimate result could be a heavier burden on local government to provide resources to replace those that have been supported by private charities. Is this what you as a trusted and respected public servant want to see happen? Funding for nonprofits through charity bingo associations are not a threat to the large, sophisticated, casino operations. The electronic bingo aids themselves merely replicate earlier games that depended on numbered balls, daubers, paper sheets and callers. The only difference is the use of video technology and automation to generate random numbers. Paper is still part of the game. Please do the right thing for hundreds of charities across California and for those who need the help the most and veto Senate Bill 1369. You have been a champion and a leader for those less fortunate throughout your career. Your continued leadership is imperative in making sure we all have the resources to help each other. Respectfully, |