As states that have become addicted to gambling revenues to replace sensible fiscal policies project their budget shortfalls, they enact measures to remove protections and sensible safeguards for 'patrons,' such as Missouri's removal a $500 loss limit over a two hour period.
And much like elsewhere, gambling revenues are attached to:
EDUCATION!
Now, who isn't in favor of EDUCATION FUNDING?
If you oppose predatory gambling, well, then you must be against the children? Right? Educators then become co-sponsors of Gambling Addiction.
Just taking a cursory glance at the Pew Center study --
From Stateline:
Nine states already spend more than a quarter of their overall budgets on Medicaid.... Missouri (38.4 percent) being #1.
Missouri meets just half of eight policy benchmarks aimed at addressing children’s dental health needs. Only about 28 percent of Medicaid-enrolled children received any dental service in 2007, the latest year for which data are available, falling short of the national average. A shortage of dental professionals makes it challenging for children in some areas of the state to access the care they need; all told, more than a million Missouri residents—nearly 18 percent of the state’s population—are unserved by dentists. In 2005, the state created a school-based fluoride varnish, screening and education program that has helped improve access to preventive services for children and is growing steadily. However, the state does not have a school-based sealant program.
Missouri. gambling revenues for schools falling short by $24 million
JEFFERSON CITY — Missouri schools could face a $24 million funding shortfall because tax revenues from casinos are falling short of projections.
Gaming Commission Executive Director Roger Stottlemyre warned the state's budget director of the funding gap in a letter sent just before Christmas and provided Wednesday to The Associated Press. Stottlemyre said casino proceeds for education were expected to be almost $372 million this year but instead will be $348 million.
"The slow economic recovery continues to severely impact the base gaming forecast," Stottlemyre said.
State officials faced a $54 million shortfall in casino revenue for education in last year's budget. Lawmakers approved $63 million in a supplemental budget that used general state funds to make up for gaps in revenue from casinos and several other taxes.
State Budget Director Linda Luebbering said Wednesday that Gov. Jay Nixon had not decided whether to seek funding to offset the casino revenue this year. To fill this year's funding gap, Luebbering said the state could use general funds or federal money designed to help states avoid budget cuts to K-12 education.
"We'll be looking at ways to fill that shortfall," Nixon spokesman Sam Murphey said.
Lawmakers return to the Capitol for their annual session next week.
The Missouri Gaming Commission projected an increase in casino revenues because of a 2008 law approved by voters that removed a unique state law capping losses at casinos. That law repealed Missouri's law limiting gambling losses to $500 over a two-hour period, capped licenses at 13 and increased gambling revenue taxes by 1 percentage point.
Stottlemyre said the economy is improving and that regulators expect casinos to generate more than $354 million for education in the 2012 budget year that starts July 1.
Officials have estimated that Missouri faces a roughly $500 million budget deficit next year.
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