We are elated that the Supreme Court has agreed to hear the matter. This is an extremely important case for Iowa. There are huge amounts of money at stake, and the legal principles are extraordinarily important.

We are pleased in part because the Court takes up so few of the cases that are presented to it -- something like one in a fifty.

We also are pleased that the Court established an expedited schedule for hearing the case. We are very eager to argue the matter before the Court this spring.

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The Supreme Court's Order today read as follows:

02-695 Fitzgerald, Treasurer, Iowa v. Racing Association of Central Iowa

The petition for a writ of certiorari is granted. The brief of petitioner is to be filed with the Clerk and served upon opposing counsel on or before 3 p.m., Monday, March 3, 2003. The brief of respondents is to be filed with the Clerk and served upon opposing counsel on or before 3 p.m., Wednesday, April 2, 2003. A reply brief, if any, is to be filed with the Clerk and served upon opposing counsel on or before 3 p.m., Monday, April 21, 2003. Rule 29.2 does not apply.