It’s high time that Linn County got a casino, so that we can compete with casinos in other parts of the state. Right now, those jobs, events, taxes and revenues for charitable organizations are going to casinos in other parts of the state as well.

A casino right here in Cedar Rapids would create hundreds of construction jobs and more than 360 permanent jobs and will attract new businesses and even more jobs to the area. We’ve never needed those jobs more than we do today.

Casinos are here to stay in Iowa, there’s just no sense in sending that money outside of Linn County when it could be much better used here to aid flood recovery and local revitalization.

I’m glad that our county is finally getting a chance to build a casino and I’m looking forward to making my voice heard.

I’m voting yes on Measure A on March 5 and I encourage you to do the same.

Mike Brecht

Cedar Rapids