TLS signed “Bill,” one page, 8.5 x 11, State of Arkansas, Office of the Governor letterhead, February 22, 1989. Letter to W. Trueman Moore of the East Side Baptist Church, concerning the Oaklawn Park Race Track. In part: "Thank you for sharing with me your feelings about reducing the tax percentage that the state receives from Oaklawn Park. I appreciate your concerns, and I would like to explain why I agreed to sign the bill. Arkansas has a critical need for increased revenues for education and for human services that will not be served if a major industry is forced to close. Oaklawn produces millions of dollars annually in direct taxes paid to the state and employs thousands of people, most of whom then pay personal income taxes. I understand your concern that these tax advantages are more than offset by crime and increased law enforcement costs. I also respect and appreciate your moral objections, but I believe I would be overstepping my constitutional authority were I to oppose a legal industry like Oaklawn that enjoys widespread support in the community and throughout the state. Sincere and deeply held beliefs often differ on issues such as this."
He adds a lengthy handwritten postscript, in full: "Until confronted with competition from Louisiana and Oklahoma, Oaklawn paid the 2d highest race tax in the U.S. It was lowered only to the national average and all the money was to go back into the track—I felt the decision was economically justified as the income had been declining for 4 years." In fine condition.
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