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Sponsor says bill solves veterans vs. children funding fight

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Lawmakers for several years have struggled with what has been termed a fight between children and veterans. Several education programs and veterans programs are funded by lottery proceeds, and legislators have struggled to find a balance between the two. The House has given tentative approval to a bill that, its sponsor says, achieves that balance.

Representative David Day presents HB 1731. Photo courtesy: Tim Bommel, Missouri House Communications.

Representative David Day (R-Dixon) tells his colleagues, “The bottom line with this bill is … it will end the ongoing fight between early childhood and veterans for their funding, which both sides really, really want.”

Day’s bill dedicates casino entrance fees to veterans programs. “That, added to what they’re already receiving from that fund which is about $6.6 million, will put them at about $37 million in funding … it takes care of all their programs: the homes, the cemeteries and all of that, which is enough to do what they need to do and give them just a little bit in reserve.”

The bill will increase funding to early childhood by about $4.5 million to about $35 million based on 2011 figures. Day pays for that by pulling more money from the pool that goes to pay out lottery winnings. It will be reduced to about 59 percent, from 63. Day says voters approved a minimum of 45 percent to payouts.

The bill sets a minimum of 27 percent of lottery funds that must go to general education. It also increases funding to the National Guard Trust Fund to $5.5 million, which supports scholarships, burial duties and other work done by the Guard. Finally, the Access Missouri financial assistance program will get $5 million.

See the text of Day’s legislation, House Bill 1731

Even with the cut to the money available for payouts, Day says Missouri will still be one of the leading states in that category.

The bill has received bipartisan support. Representative Sara Lampe (D-Springfield), who has been outspoken on education issues, told Day, “I thank you for bringing this forward … and making sure that children don’t lose and veterans don’t lose.”

One more favorable vote will send the bill to the Senate.

State representatives look to bolster veterans homes

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Members of the House Appropriations Committee on Public Safety and Corrections are looking for ways to get more money to the state’s veterans homes.

Chairman Chris Kelly (D-Columbia) says over the years, some of the funds that used to go to those homes has been funneled in other directions. “Early the veterans homes didn’t need all the money that was going there so some of it went to early childhood and some of it went to some other programs. Now the problem is our veterans homes are in pretty serious shape both in terms of the need for repair and maintenance and for the ongoing cost of the operations.”

Representative Chris Kelly (left), Representative Galen Higdon (center) and Representative Sheila Solon

Another Committee member, Representative Galen Higdon (R-St. Joseph) says veterans are waiting in line to get into those facilities. “There’s at least over 1800 now in the state and of course it’s compounding as veterans come back.”

Kelly has filed what he’s called the “loose change” bill, that would allow casino patrons to donate a portion of their winnings to the state Veterans Commission. “There’s always some change when you’re ready to check out. You have like $45 and 27 cents or 85 cents or some cents. We’d like the law to say that the customer gets asked, ‘Would you like to donate the portion less than a dollar … to the Missouri Veterans Commission.” Kelly estimates those donations could amount to between $6 and $8 million dollars a year.

Higdon is preparing a bill that includes that idea and another. It would take the money that is found on casino floors and direct it to the Veterans Commission as well. Currently, that money goes into General Revenue.

Higdon says if that money were dropped on the street, a person can report it to law enforcement after 30 days. In a casino, it goes to the state’s General Revenue fund. “I argue that shouldn’t be part of our general revenue anyway. That’s something that belongs to the casinos … it’s on their property.” Higdon says the casinos he’s talked to are alright with the money going to the veterans’ cause, telling him, “We won’t argue that point.”

Another bill filed by Representative Sheila Solon (R-Blue Springs) would double the annual transfer from the Gaming Commission Fund to the Veterans Commission Capital Improvement Trust Fund from $3 million to $6 million and allow for more to be transferred when the remaining gaming fund amount is more than $28 million.

The Committee is scheduled to next meet Wednesday afternoon.

Addiction conference underway in St. Louis

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The 2009 Midwest Conference on Problem Gambling and Substance Abuse is underway in St. Louis, bringing together more than 200 addiction experts, treatment providers, and representatives of the gambling industry. Experts taking part in this event come from the five-state region of Missouri, Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, and Oklahoma.

Candace Peters, Director of Training at the University of Iowa’s Prairieland Addiction Technology Transfer Center and a member of the Midwest Consortium on Problem Gambling and Substance Abuse, says there is quite a bit of ground to cover during this three-day gathering.

“Presenters will discuss a variety of issues from responsibility regarding treatment for problem gambling and substance abuse,” said Peters in an interview with the Missourinet. “They’ll discuss clinician treatment skill building and various issues that surround problem gambling and substance abuse.”

Peters insists solving problems requires a community effort.

“From a national perspective and from extensive research we understand that it’s essential that we work together on multiple platforms – bringing industry, research, and treatment together for problem gambling and substance abuse,” said Peters.

While there might be some links between problem gambling and substance abuse, treatment efforts are guided by the person seeking assistance, so the conference focuses on providing skills to help people on the important individual basis.

“Everyone comes with their own needs, their own understanding, their own suffering – if you will,” said Peters. “The links research tells us, yes, there is some link between the two, however we don’t want to focus on that versus being able to treat the person for what they’re asking us to be able to assist them with.”

Peters says those leaving the conference will exit knowing the importance of a recovery community that includes research, treatment, and even what should be said by a greeter at a casino.

The conference wraps up Friday.

Download/Listen: Steve Walsh report (:60 MP3)

Responsible Gaming Education Week a chance to tell problem gamblers help is available

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The Missouri Alliance to Curb Problem Gambling has ushered in Responsible Gaming Education Week with the goal of heightening awareness about the dangers associated with out of control gambling and the fact help is available for those with the gambling addiction.

Alliance spokesman Gary Gonder says that while most people who gamble walk away from casinos without any trouble, some Missourians experience problems.

"The statistics go something like .5 to 1 percent of adults are considered compulsive or pathological gamblers," said Gonder in an interview with the Missourinet. "But more importantly, up to 5 percent are problem gamblers, which means they’re approaching a pathological behavior."

The first step in getting that help is a call to 1-888-BETSOFF – (1-888-238-7633).

"We, last year, received a little over 1900 calls to our hotline," said Gonder. "It doesn’t sound like a lot of calls, but those people were either sent to Gamblers Anonymous or maybe they were referred to the free problem gambling assistance that’s available in Missouri, not only for the gambler but to the gambler’s family members."

While 1-888-BETSOFF is a national help effort, calls made from Missouri are answered in St. Louis by people who are aware of additional help available in this state.

"Over 25 percent of the calls we get every month are from family members or friends," said Gonder. "Trying to figure out what they can do to get their family member into some treatment."

Counselors for problem gamblers are provided free of charge through a small fee paid by Missouri’s casino operators.

Missouri is a national leader in problem gambling programs and was the first state to hold a statewide awareness week.

Download/Listen: Steve Walsh report (:60 MP3)

Gaming Commission puts off decision on future of President Casino

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A meeting of the Missouri Gaming Commission to consider the future of Pinnacle Entertainment’s gaming license for the President Casino in St. Louis ends with no decision having been made.

According to Commission Chairman Jim Mathewson a decision will be made in a "reasonable period of time." Though Mathewson would not venture to suggest how short or long a period of time a "reasonable period of time" might be.

At issue is the historic Admiral, the boat which serves as home to the President. Federal inspectors might force the boat to close in July of next year and Pinnacle wants to be able to replace the Admiral with a new barge. That could be problematic because a legal opinion from Attorney General Chris Koster claims a license is boat specific and site specific, meaning a new license would be required to either replace an existing boat or to change the location of that boat.

Mathewson concedes it is only an opinion – but an important one.

"That Attorney General’s opinion doesn’t hold great weight in a court of law," said Mathewson while talking to reporters after the meeting. "But what it does is points you in a direction where your comfort level sure goes up."

The Commission’s general counsel suggests Pinnacle is not able to deal with the current situation without halting operations for a period of time – costing the state revenue – and he recommends the license be put up for grabs. Mathewson says that while he appreciates the advice, the panel will make the final decision.

"We’ll make the decision," said Mathewson. "And we’ll base it on the best information that we can glean."

While the opinion of the Gaming Commission’s general counsel will be taken into account, so will the fact Pinnacle has been a good corporate citizen.

"From what staff tells me," said Mathewson. "They have been a good group of people to deal with. That’s not even under question." Options for the Commission include allowing interested parties to bid on Pinnacle’s license.

Download/Listen: Steve Walsh report (:60 MP3)

Missouri casinos waste little time eliminating loss limit

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The winning candidates from last week’s elections have to wait until the Secretary of State’s Office certifies the results of the voting before their victories move from the unofficial to the official category, but an initiative approved by voters is already in effect. It’s Proposition A – the initiative to do away with casino loss limits and, in turn, to increase the amount of casino dollars going to public schools.

Mike Winter, Executive Director of the Missouri Gaming Association – which represents the casinos operating in the state – says the Secretary of State has already determined that the initiative was approved and should be implemented, and the State Gaming Commission confirmed that on Friday. By Friday afternoon, the casinos throughout the state were already doing away with the need for the machines to operate through use of the player’s cards.

Approval also caps the number of casinos in the state at 13 – the existing 12 plus one under construction in St. Louis County.



Download/Listen: Steve Walsh report (:60 MP3)

Supporters and opponents spar over positives and negatives of Prop A

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One of the five statewide issues Missourians will vote on next week will be Proposition A – a measure that would do away with the $500 loss limit at Missouri casinos and provide additional money for public schools. Scott Charton, representing the Yes on Prop A forces, says the additional revenues must be set aside for education.

Approval of Proposition A would also cap the number of casinos at the number of boats that currently exist or are under construction. In addition, it would raise the gambling tax from 20 to 21 percent.

The Casino Watch Committee is the main opponent to approval of the initiative. Casino Watch’s Evelio Silvera says there are no guarantees that additional money will be raised for education. He adds any additional revenues could be a wash in that the extra dollars would go to education, but the General Assembly could respond by withholding the same amount of general revenue dollars from schools.

Silvera claims the only way $100-million in additional revenue could be added to education is if Missourians lose an additional $500-million in the casinos.

Download/Listen: Steve Walsh report (:60 MP3)

Proposal promises money for schools if gambling lost limits lifted

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The campaign is called "Yes for Schools First", but the proposal set for the November ballot would benefit the gambling casinos of Missouri by removing the last remaining regulation approved by voters in 1992.

"Yes for Schools First" spokesman, Anne Marie Moy, tells the Missourinet that if the initiative passes this November, it will provide an extra $100 million for schools.

"It’s going to do that by increasing the state tax casinos pay to 21%," says Moy, "and by updating some outdated regulations."

Moy is referring to the $500 loss limit voters approved when they authorized riverboat gambling in Missouri. It’s the only regulation left from the 1992 initiative that approved gambling in Missouri. There are no cruises anymore. The boats aren’t even boats. They’re riverside casinos.

Casinos have been unsuccessful in pushing the legislature to lift the loss limit, so they have decided to turn to the voters. In exchange for lifting the loss limit, the casino gambling tax will increase from 20% to 21%. Another factor in this initiative:  no more casinos will be allowed in Missouri.

We asked Moy if calling the initiative "Yes for Schools First" might be misleading, since it seems to benefit the boats the most.

"Well, you know, the Schools First initiative is going to do a lot of important things," Moy replies, "The name of our initiative underscores the most important thing it’s going to do and that is to generate more than $100 million a year a year for Missouri schools."

It is estimated $105-to-130 million as well as $5-to-7 million for higher education, early childhood development, veterans and others, if voters approve what the legislature has so far rejected. 

 

Download/listen Brent Martin reports (1:20 MP3)

Missouri Gaming Commission issues moratorium on new casino applications

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The Missouri Gaming Commission has unanimously approved a resolution instituting a moratorium on the acceptance of new applications to open and operate casinos.

Only one casino company, Wild Rose of Iowa, has paid a $50,000 fee to the Gaming Commission for consideration of the company opening a casino at Sugar Creek in Jackson County. A group in Cape Girardeau wants to construct a casino in that city.

Commission Executive Director Gene McNary says it’s unfortunate to put everything on hold, but commissioners want to wait to see whether the Secretary of State approves a ballot initiative that would ask Missourians to stop any new casinos from setting up shop. McNary says if it is determined by the Secretary of State that the issue will not be on the November ballot the resolution will be null and void and the moratorium will be lifted.

Download/Listen: Steve Walsh report (:60 MP3)

Two More Initiative Petitions Approved for Circulation

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The Secretary of State’s Office has approved two new initiative petitions for circulation.

The first petition would amend the Missouri Constitution pertaining to corporate tax credits, limiting the authority of the General Assembly to issue new corporate tax credits or deductions in a fiscal year to no more than the amount currently allowed for tax or fee increases without voter approval under the Missouri Constitution.  It would also require voter approval for any new corporate tax credits or deductions that exceed that amount.

The second petition would revise current laws pertaining to casino and gambling loss limits, repealing the current individual maximum loss limit while restricting the number of casinos to those already built or being built.

Approximately 86,000 to 95,000 valid signatures will be needed to place the casino initiative on the ballot. Between 140,000 and 150,000 signatures will be necessary for the tax credit initiative because that is a constitutional amendment. Those signatures must be submitted to the Secretary of State’s Office by May 4 th .