Topeka — They've tried slots for tots and busted.
But a key state senator said Friday that expansion of casino gambling to pay for a backlog of repairs at regents universities might hit the jackpot.
"In terms of how we spend the money, there is no better purpose than to help the regents with their deferred maintenance problems," said Senate Democratic Leader Anthony Hensley of Topeka.
The six public universities have said they need $727 million to repair and maintain their facilities, including $285 million at Kansas University and KU Medical Center.
Last year, the Kansas Board of Regents proposed a tax increase to address the problem, but that went nowhere in the Legislature.
In Kansas, there are four American Indian-operated casinos, from which state government receives no compensation.
Expansion of casino gambling is a perennial issue before the Legislature but has so far failed to advance, including proposals tied to raising funds for public schools and reducing property taxes.
But Hensley said gambling's chances may improve in the 2007 legislative session, which starts Jan. 8, because of House elections where a number of seats changed hands in favor of candidates who support expanded gambling.
"Given the significance of the issue during the campaigns, it has opened up some eyes on the House and Senate side," he said.
Hensley said his proposal would be similar to one debated last year that would have allowed resort-type casinos in several areas and slot machines at pari-mutuel tracks.
That measure would have raised approximately $150 million per year for the state budget, according to estimates.
Hensley would dedicate gambling revenues to repairs at the universities, community colleges and vocational-technical schools. After four or five years, the state could reassess where to dedicate the funds, he said.
Glenn Thompson of Wichita, executive director of the anti-gambling group Stand Up for Kansas, said he remained optimistic that the Legislature would reject casino bills because of the adverse economic and social effects of more gambling.
Earmarking the proposed funds for the universities, he said, "is typical of what casino proponents do every year; they jump on whatever horse is popular that year."
Kip Peterson, a spokesman for the regents, said the board appreciated Hensley's "recognition of this important issues."
He added, "In the upcoming legislative session, we look forward to working with the Legislature and the governor to explore all funding options to address this growing and dangerous problem."
Comments
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KS (anonymous) says…
The social problems of gambling overide. Money from gambling can be used for a ton of things, but to suggest that it be used for the Universities, is like telling us the lottery was for education! How much BS do we have to take from these folks?
mommaeffortx2 (anonymous) says…
mini vegas east of town.
rednekbuddha (Kelly Powell) says…
When their athletic scholorships are up and if they do not get recruited by the pros, the atheletes can become pit fighters at the north lawrence casino....
Sigmund (anonymous) says…
Not only do the social problems outweigh the benefits, but when was the last time the politicians promise some tax scheme would benefit the schools and then didn't follow through? I remember now, it was the lotteries! Somehow the "dedicated" lottery money made it into the general fund and is only minimally spent on schools.
Casino gambling (outside of Vegas, Reno, Monte Carlo, etc.) is generally a tawdry low rent affair and not the glamorous stuff of the movies. Kind of a video-arcade/honky-tonk/tourist-trap filled with the lower class losers (literally losers). If you have been to any of the Indian Casinos in the Topeka area you get the idea.
Who are the big winners? Well it's the corporations that run the casinos for the States or the Indian Nations. If you like to gamble you are more likely to make money investing in these companies than playing at their tables. Then pressure your legislator to cut out all the wasteful spending and make schools a priority with the taxes you pay on your dividends and capital gains. As a bonus you will keep State sanctioned casino blight in someone else's backyard.
Here is a list of 38 gambling corporations that are publicly traded:
http://finance.google.com/finance?cat...
mommaeffortx2 (anonymous) says…
sigmund stop bumming me out geez let me have fun I just want a mini vegas east of town:)
If you think these places are low rent it is because of who is running them but with the right amount of care and energy, money, a place could be made to compete with the vegas show places well at least I think they could.
I like harras north of topeka but am not so stupid to go in thinking I am going to win it is gambling after all.
mommaeffortx2 (anonymous) says…
PS... Never eat at the buffet at the harras north of topeka, nasty.
Sigmund (anonymous) says…
Sorry Momma E. Have you tried internet gaming :)
If you want to make money consider the gaming stocks. You could even donate your winnings to a local school. If you want to have fun I hear the flights to Vegas and back are pretty cheap. The Casinos make so much money they help subsidize the airlines and hotels just to get you there.
While it is true you can't win if you don't play, you can't lose either!
mommaeffortx2 (anonymous) says…
Vegas is fun but you spend to much time running around to see the strip but it is fun and walking thru the Beliagio is so cool really love vegas.
Gambling for me is just that fun I never expect to win I do not intend to get rich playing video poker I am one of those that can play for hours on just about nothing.
Airfare is not that great unless you book early but you can get hotels rooms for nothing if you gamble enough at the hotel of your choice they just comp it off.
Any business is only as good as the people who run it and the time and money they wish to spend on it.
I think it is all up to the person on wheather they want to gamble or not or if they do not so I would never try to convince a person opposed to gambling that they are wrong nor the other way around.
mommaeffortx2 (anonymous) says…
the bit about the buffet really is true avoid at all cost, the one in KC is really good not topeka.
mommaeffortx2 (anonymous) says…
marion funny today:)
mommaeffortx2 (anonymous) says…
mini vegas, mini vegas, mini vegas. :)
grubesteak (anonymous) says…
I'd love to see evidence of any state that has solved its financial problems by allowing gambling. The fact is, it just doesn't exist.
Allowing gambling will just allow Kansas to become (more) trashy.
budwhysir (anonymous) says…
Marion is your beachfront property fenced in??
I have been looking for such property but havent been able to find anything right along the beach in Topeka.
Dazie (Aileen Dingus) says…
Before anyone jumps on the "Casinos are good for schools" bandwagon, I suggest this article: http://www.newsreview.com/reno/Conten...
In a nutshell- it doesn't work. Do your own research into Clark County and Washoe County school district (NV) budget cuts in the last few years if you want to know more. Here's a sample:
"New buses, textbooks, the Talent Academy, sex ed, driver's ed and a popular music program for fifth-graders ended up on the block. Kids were added to high school classrooms to make ends meet. Across-the-board budget cuts complicated everything from purchasing classroom supplies to hiring janitors to clean the toilets." (Washoe County)
"Nevada classrooms are overcrowded and that there are not enough textbooks for students. Nevada ranked 49th in Morgan Quitno's "Smartest State Award" each of the last two years. Only New Mexico had a lower ranking."
"The proposed budget cuts have a lot of school employees nervous. That's because some parents have suggested cutting positions like guidance counselors, special education teacher's assistants, and other teacher's aides...Other position cuts being considered are campus monitors, maintenance staff, custodians, library help and school police." (Clark County)
"They're selling candy to raise money, but it's not for a sports team or marching band. The local teens need money to buy classroom supplies their school can't afford...schools all over the valley need kids' help to bring in money the state's not giving them."
****************
Granted- these stats are from K-12 schools, not universities, but I can't imagine it would work any better higher up the education line.