Legislators move to keep Iowa in Powerball mix

The Iowa-based lottery game “Powerball” will likely be allowed to expand to Puerto Rico and perhaps other countries around the world. The Iowa House yesterday gave final legislative approval to a bill which lets “Powerball” expand into U-S territories and across international boundaries. Representative Clyde Bradley, a republican from Camanche said it made good business sense. Bradley says he isn’t a strong supporter of gambling, but says as long as it’s in the state it should be treated by any other business.Bradley says Puerto Rico’s Governor will sign an agreement soon which will put the territory in the “Powerball” game, which under current law would not let Iowa continue to participate in the game.Representative Gary Blodgett, a republican from Clear Lake, said the bill was necessary to keep “Powerball” tickets — and revenue from ticket sales — in Iowa.But critics, while on the losing side, were still vocal. Representative Ed Fallon, a democrat from Des Moines, opposes the Lottery, period. Fallon says he gets tired of seeing people he knows spending their kids lunch money and their rent money on Powerball tickets.Representative Mike Cormack, a republican from Fort Dodge, objected to spreading the gambling game to third-world countries where people are struggling to find enough food and other “necessities of life.”House Democrat Leader Dave Schrader of Monroe said legislators were too fearful of losing the gambling revenue to vote against the bill.Representative Mike Jager, a republican from La Porte City, created a bit of a squall when he said legislators who voted to expand the lottery were no better than “pimps or drug pushers.” Governor Vilsack’s spokesman says the Governor will likely sign the bill into law.