Nixon backs casino fees to benefit veterans

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) - Gov. Jay Nixon has embraced a plan to raise casino fees to generate more money for nursing homes for military veterans.

Nixon's budget director, Linda Luebbering (LOO'-ber-ing), said Wednesday that a $1 increase in the per-patron fee charged to casinos could generate about $50 million annually.

The money would provide a dedicated funding stream to operate Missouri's state-run veterans' homes. Luebbering says the governor also proposes using part of the money to build a new veterans' home.

The fee increase is one of several proposals put forth by lawmakers this year to dedicate more money to veterans' homes.