For those people that are firm believers in education, which is probably several people, there seems to be a shortage of money in schools all around the United States. There are always sources of money both funded through the state and by the federal government that can help bring money to the schools but it is not always enough, especially to keep up with changing technologies and the urgency to meet the needs of students so that they will be prepared for entering the world upon graduation.
Many people strongly encourage plans that have the potential to increase property values so that it will also help to improve the public schools that are local. However, while many of these people would like ways to send more money to help provide for the schools, some of the residents in certain areas are hesitant to put in a casino, causing uneasiness for many of the people. Casino gambling sends a lot of money out to public schools and the industry likely sends out more than property taxes do as a whole.
Are people really in favor of expanding commercial gaming for the purpose of trying to increase revenue for education. Some of the laws, such as those that were on the ballot in Maryland, asked voters to allow for those that have video lottery operation licenses to be able to operate table games. According to that particular issue on the ballot, it would increase the number of video lottery terminals in the state by quite a bit. This would increase the revenue that would go to the schools but people questioned if it were a good idea. Would it increase the start of bad habits and encourage gambling addiction? Would it make a neighborhood unsafe to have more gaming tables and terminals? The battle in Maryland over this issue has been one of the most expensive political battles in the state’s history.
The two sides of this type of battle could be seen in campaigns to encourage voters to go one way or another. The media outlets in Maryland used teachers as their spokespeople to sway the voting one way or another. Teachers were used on both sides of the campaign. These were not angry teachers either but instead, intelligent and sincere ones that were able to state each side of the controversy with valid points for voters to see the pros and the cons of this controversy. On one side, teachers were asking voters to vote yes so that the students would have more much-needed school supplies. On the other side of the fence, teachers encouraged people to vote no because the millions of dollars spent on gambling would actually be lining the pockets of big time gaming operation companies.
Either way this legislation could go, money from casinos can go to help fund public schools while providing the state with money to do so such as the lottery does. However, when considering the business side of the aspect, it could create a different economy in the area and also create more jobs.
November 2, 2012
Is Gambling Really Headed to Fund Education?
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