School boards back casino vote, cigarette tax hike
The Kentucky School Boards Association is in favor of letting voters decide the fate of casino gambling in the state and increasing the state’s cigarette tax.
Seventy-one percent of the state’s largest organization of elected officials with about 880 members voted during its annual conference over the weekend to support placing a constitutional amendment on expanded gambling on the November ballot.
“I want to be very clear about this vote,” association president Ed Massey, a member of the Boone County Board of Education, said in a statement. “The mere fact that 71 percent voted in favor does not mean that KSBA is endorsing expanded gaming. People who voted ‘yes’ to place it on the ballot may well vote ‘no’ if it gets there.
“But gaming has been the subject of legislative discussion as a possible answer to the state’s revenue needs for too long. Until we put this issue to rest, up or down, it’s going to continue to be both an option and a distraction.
Earlier this year, the KSBA Board of Directors voted unanimously to support another revenue-producing proposal –- increasing the state’s tax on the sale of cigarettes by 25 to 30 cents a pack.
This is the second time that the association’s leadership has endorsed an increase in the state’s 30-cent-a-pack cigarette tax as a means of boosting revenue for public schools and other services
Established in 1936, KSBA is a non-profit organization that provides services to the state’s 174 public school districts and boards of education.
--Jack Brammer
Shame on the KSBA.
Shame on them for believing that children's lives will be enriched through the casino gambling of their parents!
They know good and well that by saying "let the people vote", they are turning on the millions from casino operators to flood the airwaves with their siren call.
Did the lottery make their schools better? NO.
Did KERA make their schools better? YES.
The difference is that the lottery was "easy money" that didn't go where the promoters said it would, while KERA was a hard-won committment of legislators and the people to tax fairly and make the funding equitable. It got parents involved and helped make people proud of their schools. It was a pearl of great price.
Increasing social problems in families is not a way to improve education.
Posted by: Elizabeth | February 25, 2008 at 11:22 AM
School Board have no choice as their elected representatives in the legislature and particularly the State Senate have blocked new revenue which would help our 176 school districts.
School Districts are being saddled with demands to provide more services by the state and federal government. Special Education is underfunded by $300 Million a year in Kentucky; No Child Left Behind is underfunded by $7 Billion.
Senate Leadership under Williams, Stine and Roeding have left Kentucky Schools in dire straits that there is no place to go but to the casinos.
Posted by: John Q | February 25, 2008 at 11:39 AM
John: That is ridiculous. If the KSBA and the JCTA really pushed for an increase to the cigarette tax as an alternative to casino gambling they would get it.
They haven't tried.
They hitched their wagon to a leader who promised them a shortcut to the promise land. There is no shortcut.
Posted by: Elizabeth | February 25, 2008 at 11:53 AM
Anyone who makes a poor decision can say that he/she had "no choice". That is a cop-out. This is a choice of EXPEDIENCY as opposed to a choice based on COURAGE and CONVICTION. Would these same "leaders" endorse prostitution if they thought it would pay the bills?!
Make no mistake that we are not fooled by the excuse "let the people vote". As far as I am concerned that is the same as an endorsement of casino gambling!
I agree with Elizabeth! Shame on the KSBA! This is sending an entirely wrong message to our children that we have entrusted them to educate! I am extremely disappointed in these educators!
Posted by: Philip | February 25, 2008 at 11:56 AM
In rely to Elizabeth's response my comment.
Actually, KSBA has been trying for years to substantially increase the cigarette tax even with the support of KEA it has failed.
The Kentucky Council of Churches are supporting Rep Jim Wayne's HB 262 which is not receiving any traction politically or from the media.
The big stumbling block for tax reform or school funding comes from the Kentucky Senate. Senate President Williams and President Pro Tem Stine oppose raising the excise taxes on tobacco products for public education and health care.
Schools in the districts of Senator Stine and Williams both need additional funds. But Williams and Stine will do nothing about raising revenue for schools. They won't touch HB 262.
Elizabeth, call Williams and Stine and ask them to support HB 262 as an alternative to Casinos. Let us know what you find out if they bother to respond.
Posted by: John Q | February 25, 2008 at 12:07 PM
“I want to be very clear about this vote,” association president Ed Massey, a member of the Boone County Board of Education, said in a statement. “The mere fact that 71 percent voted in favor does not mean that KSBA is endorsing expanded gaming. People who voted ‘yes’ to place it on the ballot may well vote ‘no’ if it gets there.
Mr. Ed Masey is a very misguided leader of this organization. In his mind, IMO, all he sees is the money and that is misguided.
I wonder what Mr. Massey will do if we get Casinos and the suicide rate in Northern Kentucky, concerning child suicide, start to have funerals. Whats is the organization ging to say, "I'm Sorry!"
Jim Anderson Stivers
Posted by: Jim Anderson Stivers | February 25, 2008 at 12:09 PM
John: Thanks for the info. Will do.
Posted by: Elizabeth | February 25, 2008 at 12:10 PM
It seems the LETS VOTE propaganda is identical to the administrations propaganda. Maybe, exactly the same.
Mr. Massey has spoken and given us a very one sided survey about Casinos. If the teachers and the administrators, cared anything but money & take a little time to read, THE OTHER SIDE, I wonder then would they still be for THE MONEY. Probably.
For a academic society to propose such a revenue source, is just plain misguided. There are reams and reams of reports on the impact of Casino Gambling and apparently Mr. Massey has not read, or does not care to read, about THE OTHER SIDE OF CASINO GAMBLING.
Mr. Massey, you probably not interested, but . . . reports I read say teenage children, when a casino comes to a nearby geography, are two times as likely to drop out of school and establish another life style that does not include education. Then, they suffer from the MENTAL MALNUTRITION for the remainder of their adult life.
Shame of you educators for not doing what you instruct your students to do, everyday,
and that is ' DO YOUR HOMEWORK!'
How can we expect our children to follow suit when it is very apparent, the members of this organization did not DO THEIR HOMEWORK.
"I just wanna say!"
Jim Anderson Stivers
Frankfort, KY.
Posted by: Jim Anderson Stivers | February 25, 2008 at 01:25 PM
Really, KERA has been all smoke and no fire. Cosmetically things are better, to be sure. But scores aren't up--as best we can tell. The instrument gets changed periodically so there is no real baseline, which I believe is no accident. I support Senate Bill 1 for just that reason. I think KERA has made things more equitable, sure. But there is no evidence that its basic methodology has students any better prepared, and as Julian Carroll recently said in a different context, the drop out rate is the same it was 30 years ago. KSBA, of which I have been a member, is an education establishment organization which isn't going to see that this system really has enough money. If money were the answer there would be no problem, because the money spent in the district I know the most about has tripled since the 1989 budget prior to KERA. ACT/SAT scores have scarcely budged for all the money spent.
Posted by: Bulletbob | February 25, 2008 at 01:34 PM
This post is for Mr. Ed Massey, who will probably not see it. I only hope that some member of this academic organization passes at least a paragraph on to him, please . . .
I want to be very clear about this vote,” association president Ed Massey, a member of the Boone County Board of Education, said in a statement. “The mere fact that 71 percent voted in favor does not mean that KSBA is endorsing expanded gaming. People who voted ‘yes’ to place it on the ballot may well vote ‘no’ if it gets there.
FACTS:
Gambling's Impact on Families
The tragedy of gambling addiction reaches far beyond the more than 15 million Americans1 who are problem or pathological gamblers. Employers, work associates, friends, and taxpayers often pay a steep price as well. However, it is family members who bear the brunt of the pain and misery that accompanies this addiction. In addition to material deprivations, family members frequently experience the trauma of divorce, child abuse and neglect, and domestic violence.
Divorce
* In a survey of nearly 400 Gamblers Anonymous members, 28 percent reported being either separated or divorced as a direct result of their gambling problems.2
* The National Gambling Impact Study Commission reported that it received "abundant testimony and evidence that compulsive gambling introduces a greatly heightened level of stress and tension into marriages and families, often culminating in divorce and other manifestations of familial disharmony." 3
* The number of divorces in Harrison County, Mississippi, has nearly tripled since the introduction of casinos. The county, which is home to ten casinos, has averaged an additional 850 divorces per year since casinos arrived. 4
* A nationwide survey undertaken for the National Gambling Impact Study Commission found that "respondents representing 2 million adults identified a spouse's gambling as a significant factor in a prior divorce." 5
Child Abuse and Neglect
* The National Gambling Impact Study Commission reported: "Children of compulsive gamblers are often prone to suffer abuse, as well as neglect, as a result of parental problem or pathological gambling." 6
* In Indiana, a review of the state's gaming commission records revealed that 72 children were found abandoned on casino premises during a 14-month period. 7
* Children have died as a direct result of adult gambling problems. In Louisiana and South Carolina, children died after being locked in hot cars for hours while their caretakers gambled.
8 An Illinois mother was sentenced to prison for suffocating her infant daughter in order to collect insurance money to continue gambling.9
* Cases of child abandonment at Foxwoods, the nation's largest casino in Ledyard, Conn., became so commonplace that authorities were forced to post signs in the casino's parking lots warning parents not to leave children in cars unattended.
Domestic Violence
* According to the National Research Council, studies indicate that between one quarter and one half of spouses of compulsive gamblers have been abused. 11
* Case studies of 10 casino communities conducted for the National Gambling Impact Study Commission revealed that the majority of those communities witnessed increases in domestic violence relative to the introduction of casinos. 12
* Domestic violence shelters on Mississippi's Gulf Coast reported increases in requests for assistance ranging from 100 to 300 percent after the introduction of casinos. 13
* A University of Nebraska Medical Center study concluded that problem gambling is as much a risk factor for domestic violence as alcohol abuse.14
* Domestic violence murders in at least 11 states have been traced to gambling problems since 1996.
That's it, just a few simple thoughts, for an educator, to be considered.
JAS in Frankfort
Posted by: JIM ANDERSON STIVERS | February 25, 2008 at 01:39 PM
Jim, I agree with your comments. It appears that instead of "doing their homework", these educators are "towing the line" for Beshear. In other words, our institutions of learning have become part of the propaganda machine instead of places for inductive reasoning! Sadly, this is one more good reason to send kids to private schools!
Posted by: Philip | February 25, 2008 at 01:41 PM
Phillip, We lost it a long time ago when reading, writing and arithmetic were the focus of education. They were lessened in
significance, for want of teaching our children more about the world we live in.
I agree with that, but first lets see teachers and educators set an example. And this ,by an academic society, it way out of line for what we want our children to learn about studies and L I F E.
There are just too many after school functions for children, thus cutting into time for FAMILY and THEIR HOMEWORK.
Here is another fact:
Effects of Adult Problem Gambling on Children:
"Children of compulsive gamblers are often prone to suffer abuse, as well as neglect, as a result of parental problem or pathological gambling" (NORC, 1999)
Research consistently shows higher rates of pathological gambling in teens whose parents gamble too much (Gupta & Derevensky, 1997; Jacobs, 2000; Wallisch & Liu, 1996)
Children of problem gamblers have been shown to have higher levels of use for tobacco, alcohol, drug use, and overeating than do their classroom peers (Gupta & Derevensky, 1997)
Child endangerment and child abuse may increase (NRC, 1999)
The NRC reported on two studies indicating between 10 and 17 percent of children of compulsive gamblers had been abused" (NRC, 1999)
Child endangerment was exemplified in Oregon with the September 2001 report of an Oregon licensed day-care provider who left three children (1, 2 and 3 years old) in a van for over 11 hours while she gambled in a casino (Lawrence-Turner, 2001, September 15)
Jim Anderson Stivers
Posted by: Jim Anderson Stivers | February 25, 2008 at 01:53 PM
As a member of a local school board, I attended the KSBA's 72nd annuall conference in Louisville this past weekend. I voted no on the idea of a constitutional amendment to allow the vote on expanded gambling. I encouraged all I spoke with to also vote "no". This "let the people decide" is a red herring. The "people" spoke over one hundred years ago when Kentuckians saw what was happening with families & communities when gambling was unfettered in the state. I questioned what happened with all the state lottery monies which was supposed to be the answer to all our funding needs. I would like to see if any of our legislators in Frankfort have the guts to publicly say where they stand on this issue. I bet they don't want their constituents to really know where they stand. I also intend to publicly state how I voted at our next school board meeting.
Posted by: Mike Wilson | February 25, 2008 at 02:47 PM
As a member of a local school board, I attended the KSBA's 72nd annuall conference in Louisville this past weekend. I voted no on the idea of a constitutional amendment to allow the vote on expanded gambling. I encouraged all I spoke with to also vote "no". This "let the people decide" is a red herring. The "people" spoke over one hundred years ago when Kentuckians saw what was happening with families & communities when gambling was unfettered in the state. I questioned what happened with all the state lottery monies which was supposed to be the answer to all our funding needs. I would like to see if any of our legislators in Frankfort have the guts to publicly say where they stand on this issue. I bet they don't want their constituents to really know where they stand. I also intend to publicly state how I voted at our next school board meeting.
Posted by: Mike Wilson | February 25, 2008 at 02:48 PM
Did you read in the paper that the race horse industry want 65 percent of the revenue from casinos? Then I read that some of the Tracks do not want casinos combined with racing facility. The legislators did not seem to be aware of anything that was being written into the governor's plan. I guess not! The Kentucky Equine Education Project (KEEP) were in charge of writing the Plans.
The proposed revenue from the license fees is a one shot deal. Also, I understand from what I read in the paper that KEEP will ask for 16 percent of the taxes collected at the race tracks. Now just what is going to be left? I'm sure it will be the clean up from the problems and not much else.
Posted by: Riggs | February 25, 2008 at 04:03 PM
Mike Wilson: Good for you! Thank you so much.
Posted by: Elizabeth | February 25, 2008 at 04:33 PM
Let's put it on the ballot. Let's also include a provision that expanded gaming cannot be put to the ballot for another 10 years. This will end it once and for all. Either the people will vote for it, or vote against it. But there will not be another vote on it. Let the people decide.
Mr. Stivers and Elizabeth, why do you feel like your views are always the best? We have read your same feelings over and over and quite frankly, don't you have anything else to do? Whatever will you do when this is past us? Find something else to complain about?
Posted by: Let us vote! | February 25, 2008 at 07:52 PM
Mr. Stivers and Elizabeth, why do you feel like your views are always the best? We have read your same feelings over and over and quite frankly, don't you have anything else to do? Whatever will you do when this is past us? Find something else to complain about?
Posted by: Let us vote! | February 25, 2008 at 07:52 PM
Vote you have not read my post. If you had you would clearly see there is a social and health cost to this issue. I do have a job and have been working at it for three years now and that is,;;;DO THE BEST I CAN TO INFORM THOSE WHO DO NOT KNOW THE DOWN SIDE OF BEING ADDICTED TO GAMBLING.
When this amendment fails to pass committee, that will be the last of it. Cause, KEEP , when defeated . . . will not invest millions of dollars again, for the same old failed issue.
And, if does go to the ballot, the only place you will see a heavier vote that are the geographies that will feed off the scraps left over from Casinos.
The real truth is, we are taking money from our own people, who many times can not afford to loose, give the casinos the profits and they return to the state a token amount of what the gross income was.
Kentucky can do better than that.
With all due respect for your differing opinion.
Jim Anderson Stivers
Frankfort, KY.
Posted by: Jim Anderson Stivers | February 25, 2008 at 08:33 PM
Based on the Governors projected 900 Million, THE KEEP LOBBY would get 102,000,000.
That would go long way to help education of people, children, trade schools.
Jim Anderson Stivers
Posted by: Jim Anderson Stivers | February 25, 2008 at 08:35 PM
Mr. Stivers:
Why not let the people decide? If it is passed in April, it will be voted on in November. May the best side win. What are you afraid of?
Personally, I am not a smoker, but I don't care if people smoke. I gamble on the lottery and a couple times a year at the casino boats, but it doesn't bother me if others do. It would be different if people didn't already misspend money. But we have all been to the grocery store to see people use food stamps for some food, and pay cash for beer and dog food. So let's don't fool ourselves. People should be mature enough to spend their own money. Besides, we already have some gambling, sell alcohol, have prostitution, and other vices in Kentucky. Why not let the people decide?
I don't know if it will pass or not, but I think it is up for the people to decide, just like wet or dry votes.
Posted by: Let us vote! | February 25, 2008 at 09:00 PM
Vote,
I see not reason why the public should not vote. But, before the vote, an education process of the perils of this issue should be discussed.
Lets discuss both sides, then it would be a fair vote, with informed citizens.( belive the down side of drinking is already exposed, that may be why it is defeated more often than approved on a district level.
If there is no open discussion, by the politico, then the HORSE LOBBY will unleash a lobbying campaign, that just may end up being some kind of scandal later.
Jim Anderson Stivers
Posted by: Jim Anderson Stivers | February 25, 2008 at 09:13 PM
Mr. Stivers:
"Let's discuss both sides, and then it will be a fair vote...." Well, unless it comes to a vote, there is nothing to discuss.
Save your rhetoric for after April, if the bill passes. I certainly don't need you insulting my intelligence. I am smart enough to realize whether I should vote for something or not.
Right now, I would vote for it. But, after hearing both sides, I may change my mind. But that should happen after April, not now. Let the process take its course. I would rather end this once and for all. Either we have expanded gaming or we don't. We will never decide unless we have a vote.
But I am in favor of having language which prohibits a subsequent vote. We don't need to do this every 2 years.
But I am also not going to write a 2 page diatribe to this website on the "dangers of gambling".
Posted by: Let us vote! | February 25, 2008 at 09:28 PM
VOTE,
My intent was not to insult you in any manner. If YOU feel I did I apologize.
Sometimes, issues of great magnitude, get a little hot. But, that was not my intent.
You are informed, but what about the people that are not informed? Are they throw aways and guarantee votes for the HORSE LOBBY?
I am for an open debate, and in some manner that is what I perceived as happening on this blog. And if you look back over the post, a lot of people have gained knowledge, that they would not otherwise sought out, just because they could read the factual reports posted about gambling.
Lets have a candid and open discussion, then lets vote.
Cordially,
Jim Anderson Stivers
Posted by: Jim Anderson Stivers | February 25, 2008 at 09:35 PM
LET THE PEOPLE VOTE
GO OBAMA.
KELSEY.
Posted by: Kelsey | February 25, 2008 at 09:52 PM
This a lift from LETS VOTE web page.
A good portion of this propaganda is not true they are numbers supplied by KEEP.
And, where is the warning. GAMBLING CAN BE ADDICTIVE? OR THE NEW ENGLAND JOURNAL OF MEDICINE REPORTS GAMBLING IS THE NUMBER ONE MENTAL HEALTH ISSUE IN THE UNITED STATES.
* In Indiana and Illinois casinos that share a border with Kentucky, each casino has an average of 1,400 employees.
* The average casino salary per year in states bordering Kentucky and similar in size to our state is $33,106.
* There will also be some construction-related jobs associated with the development/expansion of facilities if expanded gaming is passed.
For instance, Turfway Park in Boone County has estimated that if Turfway were allowed to expand and offer casino services, they plan to build an impressive $250 illion-plus facility which would create an estimated 1,200 jobs with a payroll of $30 million-plus and annual salaries of around $32,000.
Reinvestment in our State and Local Economies
* By expanding gaming and allowing casinos, not only will our state receive tax revenues, local communities with these facilities will gain a large, new employer. This means payroll and corporate taxes for the local community.
(LOW PAYING SERVICE JOBS WHICH THE MINIUM IS $2.50 PER HOUR.)
(I suggest the average income is salted with the income of supervisor employees, thus making the total average go up.)
* Like any large business operation, casinos will rely on local suppliers of goods and services, thus creating a ripple affect in the economy. (THE OPPOSITE IS TRUE)
Kentucky is Losing Revenue to Neighboring States
* Kentuckians spent an estimated $671 million at five Indiana riverboat casinos and one Illinois casino between July 2004 and June 2005. This means gambling that is already taking place by Kentucky residents who generated at least $236 million in state taxes for Indiana and Illinois.
WHERE IS THE DEMOGRAPHIC PROFILE, SURVEY THAT MAKE THIS STATEMENT?
* It estimated that 51% of the total gross gaming revenues from bordering casinos is from Kentucky gamblers.
THAT CAN NOT HONESTLY BE PROVEN.
* There are an estimated 566,000 gamblers in Kentucky who make an average of 4 trips per year to casinos outside Kentucky's border.
THIS FIGURE IS NOT ACCURATE, IF SO SHOW THE SURVEY?
JIM ANDERSON STIVERS
Posted by: Jim Anderson Stivers | February 25, 2008 at 09:55 PM
Mr. Stivers:
Since you are so in to numbers, why don't you tell us the current number of admitted drug addicts, admitted gamblers, and % divorced in Kentucky? I just want to make sure everyone knows that Kentucky is already well above the average in these categories.
Did it ever occur to you that if Kentuckians spent money on gambling, they might spend less on marijuana and oxycontin?
I am just saying....let's get all the facts out. Kentucky is 48th or worse in every category, so don't spew facts out about kids dropping out of high school, etc. We all know that Kentucky already has a problem.
Again, let's get it on the ballot and debate all the way up to November. But don't try to use psychology to scare people away.
Let's see if the legislators have any backbones or if they will cower until another day. I, for one, am tired of this. Let's vote once and for all - never more!
Posted by: Let us vote! | February 25, 2008 at 10:05 PM
"Let us vote" is a cop-out! It is ludicrous to suggest that we need to put every issue to a vote! And your reasoning that because we already have social ills that we should not care to invite more by bringing in casinos is reckless.
You are right that our legislators need backbone. They need backbone to not avoid their responsibility to represent us and block the gambling vultures from access to our beautiful state.
Mr. Stivers has produced many valuable studies about the hidden costs to casino gambling. So far, the only argument FOR casinos is the promise of $$$S we may never really see to the degree that is reported. When you subtract the costs of treating the social ills that result, it is a net loss!
The casino proponents are counting on pushing this throught the legislature and them buying the votes of the naive and the uninformed, just like they have bought the votes of many of our politicians! I am calling on my representatives in Frankfort to make sure this proposal is NEVER voted on!
Posted by: Philip | February 25, 2008 at 11:16 PM
"Let us vote" says: "Did it ever occur to you that if Kentuckians spent money on gambling, they might spend less on marijuana and oxycontin?" What a sick and sadistic remark! Is that the best you can come up with to support gambling?!
All readers: URGE YOUR LEGISLATOR TO BLOCK THIS FOOLISH SCAM ON OUR STATE!
Posted by: WakeUpKY | February 25, 2008 at 11:37 PM
"Let us vote". Is your real name YUNG?!
Posted by: David | February 25, 2008 at 11:40 PM
Vote: I'm an educated, working mother of two who is fortunate enough to pretty much control my own schedule. I'm a Democrat who contributes well to candidates I like. I have always been active in trying to improve my community and take seriously the teachings of my faith to care for the poor and to seek justice.
I'm sorry that you don't like my opposition to casino gambling and the power of big money politics. I really do not like what my party has become in Kentucky. I do not look at rust-belt states with envy and do not want us to be like Mississippi and Louisiana.
I believe this debate is absolutely vital for our future and will determine the type of economy and society we create for the next 50 years. I will support, with time and money, candidates who vote against casinos. And I will work against those who vote for them. That is representative democracy.
Posted by: Elizabeth | February 26, 2008 at 06:46 AM
Vote: One exception, I'll always support Tom Burch no matter how he votes on casinos. His long committment to the issues vital to children and the poor gives him a permanent "hero's award" in my book.
Posted by: Elizabeth | February 26, 2008 at 06:50 AM
Elizabeth--I agree with you regarding your comments re working for candidates who are against casinos, and the reason why that is the essence of actually what being a part of a representative republic is all about. And for those who are awe-atruck at the prospects of casinos, they can work to turn over the GA. That is the way to proceed, not through what is essentially a referendum.
Posted by: Bulletbob | February 26, 2008 at 03:50 PM
And I agree with you Bulletbob!
Posted by: Elizabeth | February 26, 2008 at 04:07 PM