Sen. Greta Goodwin has never supported casino, but she is willing to make an exception only if it provides funds for public education. A Senate committee claims that casinos behave in expected manner according to a detailed bill check. Senate Bill designates 75 percent of the revenue for the state general fund, however; the bill does not actually earmark money for education. The other 25 percent of the bill, Senate designates for taxes.
It is rather misleading statement because the money in the general fund is for education. In response, Sen. Goodwin said that she would not be satisfied unless educational resources were appropriately assigned. The Winfield senator did not mention, however, what percentage would satisfy her.
The committee of Brungardt assumed there were enough votes in the Senate to pass the bill (21 votes), but only 19 senators supported the bill. The bill authorizes destination casinos in the Kansas City, southeast Kansas and slot machines at other locations. One of those is Greyhound Park near Wichita.
A reasonable question is whether the bill becomes a law. If it happens, it would produce from 125 to 150 million dollars for the state in each of the first two fiscal years. In June 2010, the bill should accordingly produce about 200 million dollars a year. If things go as they were planned, it will be about a half billion dollars over the next four years into the state general fund. Opponents question these figures. Half a billion dollars could fund the school finance bills drafted by education committees in the House and Senate.
Sen. Goodwin does not support a destination casino in Sumner County, but a referendum in Sumner County favors one. A director of the Sumner County Economic Development Commission asked the committee of Brungardt to include a Sumner County casino in the bill. A major claim of Sumner County director is a 50 million dollars yearly profit, which will sponsor all educational needs.
Along with 18 other legislators, Sen. Goodwin signed a letter to the Sedgwick County Commission opposing a referendum on a casino. In spite of pressure from casino backers and citizens who want to vote, the commissioners have not called one. Citizens 4 Recall group is going after those legislators, most of whom, it says, took campaign funds from Indian tribes operating casinos in northeast Kansas or from other gaming interests. Sen. Goodwin has reported receiving 3,500 dollars in campaign funds from Indian tribes that operated casinos in northeast Kansas. She said the tribes liked her because she had stuck with them during heated debate over Indian gaming in the past.
