Attorney General Jay Nixon says the state gaming commission is putting the convenience of a casino company ahead of the commission’s law enforcement responsibilities. The gaming commission says it has to protect the jobs of Aztar casino workers in Caruthersville….So it’s going to run the casino until a new owner can be found, rather than let Aztar close the casino on the 19th. Nixon says the problem lies with the company that wants to buy out the Aztar corporation. He says Columbia Sussex is not licensed in Missouri. In fact, he says, Columbia Sussex has been rejected for licensure in Missouri. And Nixon says that means the commission’s chief enforcement officer, who will be operating the Casino Aztar, will be generating income for a company that cannot be licensed here. Nixon says the plan also means the gaming commission will be producing profits for that very company. And, he says, the commission is putting its top enforcement officer in a situation that seems awkward at best. He says a state employee should not be running a casino. He says “it is difficult to regulate and operate,” and says in a letter to Governor Blunt, that “Gaming Commission employees are the umpires in the state’s gaming industry–not the players or the cheerleaders.” Nixon urges Governor Blunt to withdraw his support from the commission’s actions. Nixon says there are other ways to handle the situation—such as having a court order the casino into a receivership run by an independent party until another, acceptable, buyer is found for it. Gaming commission officials were on their way to Caruthersville and not available for comment when Nixon released his letter.
MIx-Up with Provisional Ballot Could Confuse Voters
Voters might be mixed up about terms for the provisional ballot. That’s because the overturned photo I-D law tried to change it. Under the law, the provisional ballot was tied to voter identification. Voters without the proper form of photo I.D. could cast a provisional ballot and return later with the proper I.D. to verify their votes. Spokesman Stacie Temple with Secretary of State’s office says that’s no longer the case. When the State Supreme Court overturned the new law, it also cut ties between teh provisional ballot and the identification regulations. Temple says that means voters would only need a provisional ballot if there is a need to verify eligibility in a particular precinct or on the voter roll book. Authorities then determine whether to verify the all provisional ballots cast after the polls close.
Ballot Initiatives Expected to Draw Voters to Polls
The months, and in some cases, years of campaigning come to an end Tuesday as Missouri voters go to the polls. The big race, at the top of the ticket, is the U.S. Senate contest. It tops a ballot that includes Congressional and legislative races, judge retention elections, and ballot initiatives. University of Central Missouri Political Science Professor Shari Bax says a couple of those ballot initiatives could be the issues that bring many Missourians to the polls – particularly the stem cell research initiative and the minimum wage proposal. She says the stem cell issue should bring out both Republicans and Democrats, while the minimum wage proposal is likely to stir up Democratic supporters. Bax says in addition to the initiatives that are important to many Missourians, some voters will be brought to the polls by the attention the Jim Talent-Claire McCaskill Senate race has received – both in the state and nationally. A non-political factor could play an important role in Election Day voting: Good weather would likely mean more voters would head to the polling stations. On a disappointing note, Bax points out the high profile Senate race, coupled with hot button ballot initiatives, make the important State Auditor’s race between Democrat Susan Montee and Republican Sandra Thomas somewhat of an afterthought in the minds of many voters.
Push for Poll Workers Helps Clear I.D. Confusion
While campaigners recruit voters… elections authorities recruit poll workers. Spokesman Stacie Temple with the Secretary of State’s office, says the latest push in worker recruitment rounded up another 13-thousand workers in just a month and a half. Temple says the Secretary of State’s office has been encouraging local election authorities to inform and train poll workers on the voter identification regulations. A Supreme Court decision handed down last month overturned a new law requiring a photo i.d. to cast a ballot. Instead, the old regulations are in place. Voters can bring any one of a handful of i.d.’s including a voter i.d. card, driver’s license, student i.d, bank statement and utility bill with a name and address.
SLU Soccer Advances To NCAA Tourney
The second time is twice as nice. For the second straight year, Saint Louis University is in the NCAA women’s soccer tournament. The Billikens advanced to the NCAA’s by winning the Atlantic-10 tourney 2-1 over Fordham Sunday.
Fordham scored their one and only goal in the 22nd minute, but allowed SLU to rally for two goals by freshmen Maggie Farrell and Julia Bradenberg. Bradenberg’s goal proved to be the game-winner in the 53rd minute. It was a spectacular goal that she scored while her back was to the goal and had no idea where the goalie was.
The field for the 64-team tournament will be announced today between 2 and 3 p.m. The Billikens will also find out where they will play and who it will be against. First-round play begins this weekend.
