Casino Resorts Defended by Harry Reid as Convention Destinations
Government officials, from President Obama back into the Bush administration, have been leery of the public perception that federal employees are living it up on public funding, so they have enacted policies to deter working employees from gathering in Las Vegas and other resort areas. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada wants to pass laws preventing discrimination against casino gambling towns and other resort cities.Reid introduced a bill this week designated the Protecting Resort Cities from Discrimination Act of 2009. The measure means popular vacation destinations cannot be ruled out when selecting regions for conventions and making travel plans.
Bush administration memos dictate that areas "known for gambling" or as "resort locations" would have to receive special clearance for bookings. While current White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel wrote Reid that the Obama administration does not adhere to the policy, Obama's speeches calling out fat-cat executives partying in Las Vegas while companies totter still rings in the Speaker's ears.
“For me, the test of government travel is what will be accomplished by that travel and whether the cost to the government is reasonable as opposed to other options,” said Emanuel to Reid. Reid then sent copies of Emanuel's letter to all the heads of federal agencies.
Reid is perceived by many gaming and political analysts as beholden to the big casino operators. His move, ostensibly to protect unnecessary expenses on taxpayers by not allowing the choice of best economic option, certainly is one that should aid Vegas hotels eager to fill space.
