Do you want to allow slot machines at certain commercial horse racing tracks if part of the proceeds are used to lower prescription drug costs for the elderly and disabled, and for scholarships to the state universities and technical colleges?

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Although recent polls show Question 2 destined for passage, there are good reasons to oppose this measure, which would allow slot machines at horse racing tracks in Bangor and Scarborough. Prime among them is the fact that the developer seeking to build a racino, a combination horse racing track and casino, here has failed to earn the public’s trust.

In Bangor, the city has been negotiating for more than a year with Capital Seven, LLC, a Nevada company that says it wants to build a racino at Bass Park. Despite signing a letter of intent with the city of Bangor to pursue this project if it is approved by voters on Nov. 4, Capital Seven has taken out an option to buy land in Brewer and is negotiating with officials there to build the racino on that side of the river. Capital Seven officials say this is simply prudent business practice. Those who thought Capital Seven was serious about reviving Bangor Historic Track, the region’s existing harness racing facility, likely feel differently. For this reason, voters in Brewer should also reject a local referendum question asking for their approval for the racino to be built there. A similar referendum was endorsed by 57 percent of voters in Bangor in June. Look where that has gotten the city.

Capital Seven officials say the local infighting is inconsequential. The real issue, they say, is that the $30 million complex they plan to build would bring jobs and economic stimulation to the area. But where the facility, which will include a hotel, conference center and restaurants, goes is important because Capital Seven committed to working with Bangor and its existing track to make immediate improvements there.

Second, most of those projected to visit the Bangor’s racino would come from Maine. Thus little new money would be brought into the region; instead existing resources would just be moved around, with some taken out of state by Capital Seven.

True, some funds will be used to fund scholarships and prescription drug assistance for the elderly, but not much. Under the statute behind the referendum, the licensed operator would get 75 percent of the gross income – the income after winnings are paid out to players – from the slots, while the state would get 25 percent. That money would be divvied up as follows: 10 percent to help the elderly and disabled pay for prescription drugs; 7 percent to the Maine Harness Racing Commission to supplement harness racing purses; 3 percent to state programs in support of agricultural fairs; 2 percent to the University of Maine Scholarship Fund; 1 percent for Maine Community College System scholarships; 1 percent to the racing commission’s Sire Stakes Fund; and 1 percent for administrative expenses, including costs connected with programs dealing with gambling addictions.

The economic benefits to the city of Bangor are also speculative. A study of the economic impacts of the proposed racino here by the Margaret Chase Smith Center for Public Policy and Department of Resource Economics at the University of Maine projected annual gross revenues of more than $75 million. Of that, a minimum of $1 million, or between 3 and 6 percent of slot income, would be paid to Bangor by Capital Seven. However, the professors warned repeatedly in their analysis that the success of the facility depended heavily upon its “quality and attractiveness.”

Given Capital Seven’s track record, the quality of this deal is not high enough to warrant voter support.