Casinos have spent more than $12 million to push Proposition A

One of the worries many, including I, had when Missouri's campaign contribution limits were repealed, is that someone with deep pockets would be able to buy an election. And while millions have been spent on statewide candidates, the most obvious example of someone trying to buy an election could have been done by the old rules.

Missouri Ethics Commission documents show casino interests, primarily Ameristar Casinos and Pinnacle Entertainment have contributed more than $12 million this year to the Yes on A Committee, which is pushing for the passage of Proposition A, a proposal that disguises itself as pro-education, but which is a brazen attempt to dramatically increase casino revenues.

The contributions include a quarter of a million from Pinnacle Entertainment posted today on the Ethics Commission website. Both Ameristar Casinos and Pinnacle made $2,613,001 contributions earlier this month, following $1,787,500 contributions in September.

The only contributions the committee has received did not come from Ameristar or Pinnacle were $38,482.02 listed as "in-kind" from the Missouri Gaming Association.

As I have noted before, not one contribution to the committee has come from anyone connected with education.