It's a Disgrace

I receive a daily gaming report that mostly talks about the investment arm of gaming.  It tells how the stocks are doing, any major stories, etc.  You know, an industry newsletter.  I read it faithfully.  Never know what you might learn.  It's usually really boring, but I came across something yesterday that really ticked me off.  Please keep in mind that Nevada was probably the hardest hit state by the recession.  Our property values are down 40 to 80%, which explains why we have the highest foreclosure rate in the country.  Our unemployment is still on the rise and is over 12%.  Everywhere you look, you see buildings that are half-built or abandoned.  It's not good. 

Enter the government and how we can always count on them to help.  The following is an excerpt from the Fantini Report, the gaming industry newsletter:

Newspapers seemed to have gaming on the brain in the last 24 hours.   The Wall Street Journal published a story on how the U.S. government may be saying they are not doing anything to hurt areas like Las Vegas but their actions are speaking a lot louder than their words.  The WSJ said that big agencies like the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture are being encouraged to host meetings in places like St. Louis, Milwaukee and Denver, rather than Las Vegas, Reno or Orlando.   The article discussed how a conference planner for MGM Mirage’s New York – New York Hotel & Casino tried to book a conference with the FBU but was sent an e-mail saying the Dept. of Justice decided conferences are not to be held in cities that are vacation destinations/spa/resort/gambling.   Las Vegas and Orlando were the two specifically listed as no-no’s.  The Dept. of Justice told the WSJ that they have guidance that says avoid locations and accommodations that give the appearance of being lavish or are resort destinations.   The U.S. Travel Association showed the irony of all this because locations on the black list are known for having the most hotel rooms and conference space and often offer the best deals on meetings and conferences.   The Association said they believe the agencies are worried about scrutiny and in order to avoid criticism from the media, they are spending more money.   When are they going to start getting media criticism for that or for the fact that their actions are resulting in lost jobs.  Has everyone forgotten the White House Chief of Staff statement that “government travel is not focused on specific destinations but on cost and efficiency?”   The people at the top will point fingers at individual agencies such as the Agriculture Dept. who said the guidelines for meetings include:  a travel hub; low cost; and a non-resort location.

Nice.  In typical government fashion it makes total sense.  Let's spend more money so that no one talks bad about us.  Let's put our money in cities with 9.8% unemployment (Milwaukee), instead of cities with over 12%.  Oh, and for all you convention goers this year, have fun in the Midwest while you think about what you are missing in Vegas.