*This issue seem to be one of the most contentious on the ballot. A yes vote will allow the individuals who visit these establishments to spend as much money as they see fit without government interference and this will limited the amount of casinos in the state to 13. As per Missouri statutes casinos are only allowed on the Mississippi & Missouri Rivers and we already have the amount of casinos allowed by a yes vote. In reading the full text of this bill there are appropriate safeguards to make sure the schools get the funding that is applicable to this measure. This is a self imposed tax paid only by those people who visit the casinos, much like the motel/hotel tax that passed here in Springfield a few years back.*
*It is quite possible for the state to reduce funding of the schools based on the amount of revenue generated from this tax in order to make up for shortfalls in other areas however the school system would still be funded with the amount appropriated in the annual budget.* *Voting "NO" on this measure means nothing is changed in the Constitution, as if this was never even on the ballot. On a side bar note if the state of Missouri can regulate a $500 loss limit(they currently do) is there anything that would prevent them from telling the individual how many times they are allowed to eat out or trips allowed to the buffet line. Think about it !!!!! * * * *Official Ballot Title *Proposition A [Full text <http://www.sos.mo.gov/elections/2008petitions/2008-035.asp>] [Proposed by Initiative Petition] *Official Ballot Title:* Shall Missouri law be amended to: - repeal the current individual maximum loss limit for gambling; - prohibit any future loss limits; - require identification to enter the gambling area only if necessary to establish that an individual is at least 21 years old; - restrict the number of casinos to those already built or being built; - increase the casino gambling tax from 20% to 21%; - create a new specific education fund from gambling tax proceeds generated as a result of this measure called the "Schools First Elementary and Secondary Education Improvement Fund"; and - require annual audits of this new fund? State governmental entities will receive an estimated $105.1 to $130.0 million annually for elementary and secondary education, and $5.0 to $7.0 million annually for higher education, early childhood development, veterans, and other programs. Local governmental entities receiving gambling boat tax and fee revenues will receive an estimated $18.1 to $19.0 million annually. *Fair Ballot Language:* A "*yes*" vote will amend Missouri law to: - repeal the current individual maximum loss limit for gambling; - prohibit any future loss limits; - require identification to enter the gambling area only if necessary to establish that an individual is at least 21 years old; - restrict the number of casinos to those already built or being built; - increase the casino gambling tax from 20% to 21%; - create a new specific education fund from gambling tax proceeds generated as a result of this measure called the "Schools First Elementary and Secondary Education Improvement Fund"; and - require annual audits of this new fund. A "*no*" vote will maintain the current individual maximum loss limit of five hundred dollars for each gambling excursion. The casino gambling tax will not be increased nor will the "Schools First Elementary and Secondary Education Improvement Fund" be created. Also, the number of new casinos that may be built in Missouri will not be restricted. If passed, this measure will increase the casino gambling tax. -- http://votetom4council.webs.com/ http://417-political-pundit.blogspot.com/ www.moliberty.org "lite a fire for a man he'll be warm for a day, lite the man on fire and he'll be warm the rest of his life". Just because you do not take an interest in politics doesn't mean politics won't take an interest in you! -Pericles (430 B.C.) In fact, there is a direct correlation between loyalty to one's spouse and the "trustworthiness, sincerity, honesty and strength of leadership" required to lead a nation. ~John Edwards~ "no cause is lost if there is but one fool to fight for it" ~Will Turner~ ~Pirate's of the Caribbean @ World's End~ Save your property rights www.mo-cpr.org http://www.radiofreeliberty.com --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ This is a Free Speech forum. The owner of this list assumes no responsibility for the intellectual or emotional maturity of its members. If you do not like what is being said here, filter it to trash, ignore it or leave. If you leave, learn how to do this for yourself. If you do not, you will be here forever. -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
