Proposition A, the Schools First Initiative on the Nov. 4 state ballot, is straightforward. It increases the revenues Missouri schools and other public services receive from the gaming taxes and fees that casinos pay. And, it updates Missouri’s outdated casino regulations.
The Missouri state auditor has determined that Prop A will provide $105 million to $130 million annually for K-12 schools statewide — without increasing any taxes paid by Missouri residents. It also will provide $5 million to $7 million annually in new revenues for higher education, early childhood education and other programs funded by the $2 per visitor fee paid by casinos.
Based on calculations provided by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, Jasper County schools will receive nearly $3.4 million and Newton County schools more than $1.5 million in new annual revenues.
Prop A ensures that school funds can only be used for schools. It creates a secure fund for the casino taxes dedicated to education. It prohibits politicians from using these revenues to replace or supplant any other education funds. And, it requires annual audits to ensure the funds are only used to increase school funding as intended.
Prop A will finally eliminate Missouri’s complicated $500 “loss limit” regulations, which do not exist in any other state. Since 1996, the Missouri Gaming Commission has reported that the loss limit places Missouri at a competitive disadvantage, reducing the number of casino visitors and revenues. For nearly a decade, legislation to eliminate these outdated regulations has been blocked by a few powerful politicians.
Now, the YES on A campaign is turning to Missouri voters to accomplish what politicians have failed to do.
Missouri casinos currently provide more than 12,000 local jobs, draw 25 million visitors annually and generate hundreds of millions of dollars in economic activity for our state each year. Prop A will protect and increase these jobs and economic benefits. And, it will limit the number of casinos to the 13 already built or under construction, while upholding the right of Missourians to vote on whether to allow any new casinos.
The broad-based support for Prop A shows that it is a reasonable measure. Hundreds of teachers and other educators throughout Missouri have joined the YES on A Coalition because they support more funding for schools without raising local property taxes. Community leaders and business groups have endorsed YES on A because it protects local jobs and helps boost our economy. Even people who don’t like gambling support Proposition A, such as a group of ministers who recommended voting YES on A because it would halt a scheme for a casino in Cape Girardeau (Southeast Missourian, August 21).
We urge the common-sense voters of Southwest Missouri to consider these facts and join us in voting YES on Prop A — for our schools and for our economy.
Scott Charton is a spokesman for the YES on A Coalition.
