State regulator suggests cutting meetings

A member of the State Racing and Gaming Commission says he and his fellow gambling regulators could save money by cutting back on their meetings. The Commission now meets each month of the year, except February. Commission Vice Chair Bill Hansen suggests holding half as many meetings.Hansen says the move would reduce travel, hotel and meal costs for the commission. Hansen says meeting attendance by all five commissioners has dropped, and fewer meetings would improve that problem. He says it’s hard for commissioners to travel clear across the state for a meeting that lasts only an hour. Hansen says the meeting times have grown steadily shorter over the years.He says there aren’t as many changes of ownership now, something that takes a lot of meeting time. Hansen says they’d still have a backup if they really need to meet. The Racing and Gaming Commission staff is going to review Hansen’s proposal to see how much money they might save if it’s implemented.