11/15/07

 

Here is an overdue update on the situation here in Washington state.

 

First, the state has won the first round in court.  The state's strategy, not surprisingly, is to avoid a hearing on the merits of the case.  As part of that strategy, the state has made what I consider outrageous discovery requests.  Unfortunately, the King County Superior Court did not grant my request for a protective order or give me any other relief.  I was surprised and disappointed, but it's worth remembering that a court is like a casino: anything can happen. As a result, I have filed an appeal with the Court of Appeals, Division One.  If I do not get some relief from the Court of Appeals, it may be difficult to go forward, as the state is demanding information that is confidential and/or implicates my Fifth Amendment rights against self-incrimination.

 

The good news is that I have a substituted plaintiff lined up who could step into my shoes and pursue the exact same consitutional challenge to Washington's law.  However, by the time I exhaust my appeals and refile with another plaintiff, we will be well into 2008.

 

My original plan was to get the court case heard prior to the 2008 political season, so that we could decide if a political strategy was necessary.  Given the events that have transpired, it appears that I have no choice but to make a political issue of the internet poker law.

 

I believe that I have an effective strategy in place for changing this state's uniquely oppressive internet poker law.  I will be revealing that strategy to the public on or about January 14, 2008, opening day of the 2008 legislative session here in the Evergreen State.  Meanwhile, I'm hoping Washington state PPA members will help me organize the effort.  I hope to meet with volunteers the weekend of December 15-16, 2007.

 

That's all for now,

 

Lee Rousso

Washington State Representative of the PPA

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