Revisiting riverboat gambling

In 1992 voters in Jefferson City approved having riverboat casino gambling come to town.

Three years later they blocked the idea, by prohibiting the city from benefiting from any casino revenues.

Now, the Jefferson City Council is again considering sending the issue back to voters.

At Monday night's regular council meeting, Fourth Ward Councilman Kevin Brown will introduce an ordinance to place the question on the April 2008 ballot.

This is traditionally the municipal ballot and, Brown said, they don't want to make this an issue that requires a special election.

“First and foremost, it needs to be clear that this ordinance and the subsequent decision of the voters will have no impact to our decisions related to a conference center,” Brown said in a prepared statement. “This issue will be decided on its own merits, as will decisions related to the conference center. The two issues are not connected in any way, shape or form.”

Article 15 of the city charter prohibits casino and riverboat gambling within the city and the vote would be to repeal that language.

“If voters approve the repeal, our community would be able to open another door towards making Jefferson City a destination community with a wide range of attractions for visitors and increasing our economic base,” Brown said.

Brown cited figures from the Missouri Gaming Commission that show communities with gaming have received over $47 million to date for local projects and initiatives in 2007.

He also cited the Gaming Commission's 2007 annual report, which showed the Isle of Capri Casino in Boonville contributed nearly $4 million toward community projects such as public safety upgrades, beautification projects and infrastructure improvements.

Brown presented his proposal at the council's Brown Bag work session Friday.

Unless there's an unopposed motion to suspend the rules and also vote on the plan Monday night - which wasn't suggested Friday - a final vote on Brown's proposal would come Dec. 17 or later.

His fellow council members expressed interest in finding out more from their constituents on the issue, with some saying they've heard some in favor, some against and some hearing no reaction at all.

They did express possibly having a public hearing on the matter.

The deadline to get an issue on the April ballot is Jan. 29.

“The positive economic impacts of gaming to Missouri communities can no longer be ignored in Jefferson City,” Brown said.