NEW: Legislation Would Guarantee New Gaming Revenue to Education
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Sen. Harold M. Metts (D-Dist. 6, Providence) knows that Rhode Island voters will be asked in the November election if they favor casino-style (table) games at Twin River in Lincoln. He expects they will also face the same question about Newport Grand.
Although no one can predict what voters will decide, Senator Metts knows that any proposed expansion in gambling in Rhode Island is an effort to grow gambling revenues at the two facilities, and consequently increase the amount the state already receives from gaming, and to mitigate any potential drain on those revenues when casinos go on line in Massachusetts.
Saying it “would be a positive step toward honoring years of promises to fund education with gaming revenue,” Senator Metts has introduced legislation that would require any additional state revenues gained from the expansion of gambling to be used solely to support elementary and secondary education in the state.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTWhile some of the gaming revenue the state receives may find its way to education, it first must pass through the state’s General Fund, explained Senator Metts. “What comes out, for education, is not what comes in from gaming revenue. That’s a shame, and it’s sad, considering the very real concerns that have been raised in recent years about the quality of our state’s educational system,” he said. “Our school children need better and they deserve better.”
Senator Metts said he believes enacting his legislation will address concerns raised at several economic summits in the past year, concerning the state’s need for an educated work force. “An educated work force is key to our economic recovery and growth, and in order for this to occur, we need to make sure our education system is well funded.”
Senator Metts is not and has not been a proponent of gambling, “but since it is here – in the form of lottery tickets and VLTs – and since it may grow into full-fledged casinos, it is imperative that we commit some of those funds to education – not just because it was promised, but because it is vital to our school children and the long-range health of our state.”
“Clearly, if Massachusetts casinos impact us negatively, there may not be a great deal of additional gambling revenues. But assuming that there are, and that the goal of expansion is to bring in more money, those extra funds should go right to educating our children.”
Senator Metts said he remembers the birth of the Lottery in Rhode Island, when state residents were enticed to vote for it with the promise that the money would be used for education. “We have a chance to do that now, with this bill,” he said. “Doing this is not just about making good on earlier promises. Doing this is giving our school children the best education we can provide. That means giving them all a chance to succeed and that means giving our state a much better chance to succeed.”
The bill specifies that additional gambling funds will be deposited in a restricted account to fund elementary and secondary education, but that those funds will not reduce current federal and/or state funding levels not reduce the amount of the state’s share of permanent foundation education aid.
