Proposition A

State-level ballot issue in the 2008 general election

Latest articles

A look at Missouri's ballot initiatives

Proposition A to stay on ballot

Voters discuss ballot initiatives

Web Update:
Judge rules Proposition A can stay on ballot

General information

Official ballot language

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?

Other info

The measure would increase the casino gambling tax and repeal the $500 loss limit while prohibiting future loss limits. Identification would only be required to prove the prospective casino patron is 21 years of age. With the proceeds from the gambling tax, the state government would establish a fund that would give money to public schools.

Proponents estimate the state would receive between $105.1 million and $130.1 million for K-12 education and $5 million to $7 million for all other education programs, including higher education and early childhood. Local governments are projected to receive an estimated $18.1 million to $19 million in fee revenues and the boat tax. The casino gambling tax would increase from 20 percent to 21 percent.

Latest blog posts

Voters approve Proposition A

(from Politics Watch)

Pros and cons

Pro	Con
From the Yes on A Coalition Web site: The tax increase would generate, according to the fiscal note under the ballot title, up to an estimated $130 million annually for elementary and secondary schools, with up to $7 million for other programs including financial aid for higher education, early childhood education, veteran education Gaming tax revenues would only be used to fund schools and the legislature cannot replace that education funding More casinos can still be added with public support to do so Changes made to the casino policies would allow for more visitors and bolster the economy Casinos provide 12,000 jobs for the people of Missouri	From Representative Ray Salva (D-Sugar Hill): Opponents of Proposition A include both gubernatorial candidates, the Missouri State Highway Patrol and local and state police organization. There are an estimated 130,000 people who are not allowed on casino property in Missouri, including convicted criminals and habitual gamblers. Prop A could also limit competition in the gaming industry. “No other industry in the state of Missouri has any language to limit free enterprise and have a government-sponsored monopoly,” Salva said. Prop A has used a University of Missouri-Saint Louis study the gaming commission did to prove the measure would gain revenue. The professors have disavowed the study and said it was not done for this purpose. With the downturn in the economy, there will still be less money going to education.

Pro

Con

From the Yes on A Coalition Web site:

The tax increase would generate, according to the fiscal note under the ballot title, up to an estimated $130 million annually for elementary and secondary schools, with up to $7 million for other programs including financial aid for higher education, early childhood education, veteran education
Gaming tax revenues would only be used to fund schools and the legislature cannot replace that education funding
More casinos can still be added with public support to do so
Changes made to the casino policies would allow for more visitors and bolster the economy
Casinos provide 12,000 jobs for the people of Missouri

From Representative Ray Salva (D-Sugar Hill):

Opponents of Proposition A include both gubernatorial candidates, the Missouri State Highway Patrol and local and state police organization.
There are an estimated 130,000 people who are not allowed on casino property in Missouri, including convicted criminals and habitual gamblers.
Prop A could also limit competition in the gaming industry. “No other industry in the state of Missouri has any language to limit free enterprise and have a government-sponsored monopoly,” Salva said.
Prop A has used a University of Missouri-Saint Louis study the gaming commission did to prove the measure would gain revenue. The professors have disavowed the study and said it was not done for this purpose.
With the downturn in the economy, there will still be less money going to education.

63°F (17°C)Wind: 3 mph SE