Oregon has produced its share of gridiron greats.

For years, Mel Renfro was a defensive stalwart for the Dallas Cowboys and in his first season, rookie quarterback Joey Harrington led the Detroit Lions with precision and poise.

But in Oregon, the football phenoms aren't confined to the field. Proof of that is as close as the state house in Salem, where our legislators are proving yet again they are the masters of the punt.

The most recent gloomy financial forecast shows no upsurge in tax revenues so there's a movement afoot in Salem to include slot machine-type games in the Oregon Lottery. The move could entice more Oregonians to play and could add an additional $90 million to the state coffers.

Supporters of the move will argue that money will benefit all Oregonians, but in truth, some people already are benefitting way more than others: the state's tavern owners. That's because they receive 33 percent - that's right, one-third - of the video poker receipts in commissions.

Last year, that was $153.7 million or about $79,000 per tavern.

Sen. Tony Corcoran, D-Cottage Grove, who represents portions of northern Douglas County, thought 15 percent would still be a generous commission for those tavernkeepers and would result in a $70 million boost for the state. But it's getting little support and like peanut shells on the bar floor, his bill will likely remain in the Senate when the patrons have all gone home.

Aside from bucking Oregon's powerful restaurant lobby, the trouble with Corcoran's bill is that it would have forced legislators to take some action. The beauty of allowing the state to add slot machines to the Oregon Lottery is all the action will be up to the people.

The current session is nearing an end with no game plan for Oregon's financial future. Across the state, schools are closing and more students are being jammed into classrooms. Teachers, administrators and other state employees are losing their jobs. Oregonians are losing access to health benefits.

But money talks. And right now in Salem, the cries of the needy are being muted by the din of the bar crowd.