A.G. Gancarski
Despite running for the House District 13 seat in Jacksonville’s urban core from Fleming Island, Democrat J.R. Gaillot weighs in on local issues.
Last week, he advocated for an expansion of the Human Rights Ordinance.
Monday, he took a position opposing to 2,000 slot machines coming to the bestbet facility in Jacksonville’s Arlington neighborhood.
The contention is that slots would bring jobs.
Quite a significant number, claims a study from the Innovation Group of New Orleans.
The projection is for 1,500 direct jobs and 1,300 indirect jobs, adding 2,800 jobs to an area of town left in the lurch in recent decades.
Revenue for the city and state likewise is expected to be strong.
Based on 1.5 percent of gross revenue, the city can anticipate $5.7 million a year in taxes.
As well, the state can expect $128 million in taxes.
Gaillot diverges from the analysis above.
“These promises of high-paying jobs are nothing but a fantasy. At a maximum five jobs would be created and not high-paying ones. People in Jacksonville do not need another get-rich-quick scheme that will lead to destruction of families already struggling with making ends meet. Gambling addiction is a serious threat to all, especially in Black and Latino communities,” Gaillot asserted.
“Slot machines have never provided economic opportunities for the players. The house always wins,” Gaillot added.
The best bet is the bill authorizing a November referendum for slots in Jacksonville’s City Council will pass without opposition on Tuesday.
However, in taking this position, Gaillot is distinguishing himself from a crowded field in the HD 13 race.
In typically Democratic HD 13, both parties are smelling blood in the water when it comes to incumbent Reggie Fullwood’s political career.
Fullwood has qualified, and in addition to Gaillot, will face Democrats Tracie Davis, and Lee Brown in the primary, happening the same month Fullwood faces 14 federal charges in a Jacksonville courtroom.
The survivor of that scrum will take on a Republican — either pastor Mark Griffin, whose campaign is managed by Duval GOP Vice Chair Sam Newby, or Keith Walters, a Southside resident messaging heavily on Fullwood’s ethical lapses.
