LARRY McKIBBEN STATE SENATOR Twenty-second District Marshall and Hardin Counties Statehouse: (515) 281-3371 e-mail – larry.mckibben@legis.state.ia.us – HOME ADDRESS P.O. Box 618 Marshalltown, Iowa 50158 (641) 752-4271

The Senate State of Iowa Eighty-first General Assembly STATEHOUSE Des Moines, Iowa 50319

PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE COMMITTEES Business & Labor Relations Ethics Judiciary State Government, Co-chair Ways and Means Justice System Appropriations Subcommittee, Co-chair

For Immediate Release Contact: Senator McKibben

Monday, Feb. 20, 2006 (515) 281-3371

McKibben Calls for Removal of TouchPlay Machines

DES MOINES – Senate State Government Committee Co-Chair Larry McKibben (R-Marshalltown) today called for removal of the Iowa Lottery’s TouchPlay machines from convenience stores, grocery stores, bars and other Iowa businesses.

“These machines are like unwanted houseguests who have overstayed their welcome. It’s time for them to go,” said McKibben, who co-leads the Senate committee that will oversee legislation dealing with TouchPlay machines.

McKibben said he has heard overwhelmingly from constituents who are opposed to the machines. “Iowans simply don’t want gambling on every corner,” he said.

The senator said he weighed whether to restrict TouchPlay machines to bars only, but decided against it because it is not in the state’s best interests. “Lawmakers shouldn’t be in the business of picking and choosing winners and losers,” McKibben said.

###