November 18, 2005

Purdue, legislators to discuss how gambling affects families

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Indiana legislators will listen and respond to research from Purdue University and others on how gambling affects family policy issues during a seminar Monday (Nov. 21), which kicks off National Family Week.

The Family Impact Seminars will be held from 10 a.m. to noon in the Indiana House Chambers in the Statehouse, 200 W. Washington St. The topic is "Gambling: What Are The Odds for Indiana Families?" The moderator will be Shelley MacDermid, professor of child development and family studies and director of Purdue's Center for Families.

"Every day, state legislators must make myriad decisions that affect families," MacDermid said. "Family Impact Seminars empower them to do so more effectively by putting cutting-edge scientific research in their hands. We at the Center for Families at Purdue are proud to be part of a strong partnership of family-serving organizations in our state that do this work." 

The legislators on the panel are Bob Kuzman, D-Crown Point; Eric Turner, R-Marion; Bob Bischoff, D-Lawrenceburg; Cleo Duncan, R-Greensburg; and Troy Woodruff, R-Vincennes. Legislative advisers are state representatives John Day, D-Indianapolis; Peggy Welch, D-Bloomington; Jeff Thompson, R-Lizton; Sheila Klinker, D-Lafayette; Bill Friend, R-Macy; and Kathy Richardson, R-Noblesville.

The senators who will be attending are Billie Breaux, D-Indianapolis; John Broden, D-South Bend; James Merritt, R-Indianapolis; Glen Howard, D-Indianapolis; Joseph Zakas, R-Granger; and Dennis Kruse, R-Auburn. Other legislators who are expected to attend are Matt Bell, R-Avilla, and Joe Micon, D-West Lafayette.

"Legislators, legislative staff and key decision makers from the Indiana Gaming Commission, the Indiana State Excise Police, the Indiana Alcohol and Tobacco Commission and the Indiana Council on Problem Gambling will attend," said Karen DeZarn, assistant program leader for the extension office at the College of Consumer and Family Sciences. "It's our hope that they understand they are receiving unbiased research-based information to help them make important decisions for Indiana citizens."

Larry DeBoer, professor of agricultural economics, will speak about "The Impact of Gambling on Budgets: Households and Beyond." DeBoer studies state and local government public policy. In addition, he analyzes the fiscal impacts of riverboat gaming on local governments for the Indiana Gaming Commission.

Also speaking will be Jennifer Reynolds from the Department of Health Sciences of the University of Toronto. She'll talk about how gambling affects public health.

The seminar is free and open to the public, but registration is encouraged by calling (765) 494-8252.

National Family Week, which is Nov. 20-26, has been recognized during Thanksgiving week since 1968. It was begun by an Indianapolis teacher and administrator as a means to provide Americans with an opportunity to promote strong families.

Writer: Maggie Morris, (765)494-2432, maggiemorris@purdue.edu

Sources: Karen DeZarn, (765) 494-8252, kdezarn@purdue.edu

Shelley MacDermid, director of the Purdue Center for Families, (765) 494-6026, shelley@purdue.edu

Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu

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