Globe editorial: Say no to Proposition A

The Joplin Globe Editorial Board, recognizing Proposition A for what it is, a big money plan for currently established casinos, came out against the measure today:

We aren’t necessarily against removing the loss limits, but not through this vehicle that obviously is a contrivance to generate more money for the casinos while at the same time shutting down future competition.

As for the rewards for schools, we looked to Webb City R-7 Superintendent Ron Lankford, who says Proposition A is “about gambling, not about education,” he said.

In fact, the longtime superintendent told us that he resents groups using education as a carrot to entice people to vote for a measure.

“There is a hard sell to pass this initiative, and education tends to be an area that people are interested in, so they will vote yes on it because they think it will help the schools,” he said.

In the end, Lankford believes propositions like this jade the voters and eventually end up hurting local school districts.

“The initiative would grant casinos as monopoly in Missouri on the backs of education.”