With the State of the State Address and the presentation of the governor’s budget, the topic of funding for Missouri’s veterans has been brought to the forefront. The idea of a dedicated source of funding for veterans, our state’s heroes, is certainly appealing, and there has been legislation filed this year in both chambers that would attempt to fill that role.
In the Senate, a bill has been filed, SB 499, which would create an additional $1 fee per entry on an excursion gambling boat. Currently, there is a $2 fee, generally absorbed and paid for by the gambling boat licensee. This act would increase that total to $3 per person for gaming floor entry. The potential revenue from this legislation is $50 million per year. However, similar legislation was filed in 2011 and did not pass. I am still supportive of finding one or more dedicated funding sources.
Another House bill, HB 1287, asks for a different sort of funding from the patrons of excursion gambling boats. It would require the Missouri Gaming Commission to create a rule that any patron redeeming winnings must be asked if they would like to donate to the Missouri Veterans Fund. Also, any winnings left unclaimed would be deposited into the fund to be used solely for the purpose of supporting Missouri veterans’ homes.
There are also identical joint resolutions in the House and the Senate, HJR 45 and SJR 28, that propose a constitutional amendment that would require the state Lottery Commission to sell a lottery ticket to benefit veterans by July 1, 2013. All proceeds from this ticket, after prizes and administrative fees, would be deposited into the Veterans Commission Capital Improvement Trust Fund.
These pieces of legislation are this session’s attempts at providing a dedicated source of funding for our veterans. Despite budget challenges, the legislature is committed to adequately fund our veterans’ programs and Missouri’s seven veterans’ homes, including the Warrensburg Veterans Home.
As a member of the Missouri Veterans Commission and a Senate member, I continue my dedication to keep veterans’ services in Missouri adequately funded and prevent the closure of any veterans’ homes in our state, even if a dedicated source of funding is not approved this session.
I am looking forward to the Missouri Association of Veterans Organizations’ (MAVO) annual visit to the Capitol next week. I always enjoy visiting with people that are responsible for organizing many of our state’s veterans’ programs and events. I was honored to be the recipient of MAVO’s “Legislator of the Year” award in 2011.
As always, please feel free to contact me or my staff with any questions or concerns at any time. We look forward to hearing your comments and suggestions and trying to answer any questions you may have. You can reach us by phone at 866-277-0882 (toll-free) or 573-751-2272, or by fax at 573-526-7381.
Senator David Pearce serves Bates, Cass, Johnson and Vernon counties in the 31st State Senatorial District.
No comments:
Post a Comment