Amendment campaigns raise, spend as election draws near

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- A group supporting a proposed casino in Rockaway Beach reported raising an additional $1.2 million to advertise for an Aug. 3 ballot measure, bringing its campaign total to almost $12 million.

In Missouri Ethics Commission reports filed Monday, Missourians for Economic Opportunity said the money came from New Prime Inc., a Springfield-based trucking company owned by Robert Low.

Low also owns the Palace Casino Resort in Biloxi, Miss., and is a majority partner in Southwest Casino and Hotel Corp., a Minneapolis-based company that plans to build and operate a casino in Rockaway Beach if voters approve the amendment.

The group has raised $11.8 million in all, largely from Low and Southwest Casino. The group dedicated most of the $1.6 million it spent during July to direct-mail efforts, but also spent some on "outreach" and media advertising.

Show Me You Care, the group opposing the amendment, reported raising $175,593 during the three-week period of July 1 through last Thursday, bringing its total for the campaign to $1.4 million.

Much of the group's previous money came from Herschend Family Entertainment Corp., which owns Silver Dollar City, as well as from Herschend family members. Various Herschend interests contributed almost $33,000 during the July period. But money also came from other Branson businesses, including $55,000 from the Dixie Stampede, $25,000 from Kanakuk Kamps and $13,300 from the Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce.

Missourians will consider two proposed constitutional amendments Aug. 3 -- one authorizing the casino in Rockaway Beach, which is near Branson; the other placing a ban on gay marriage in the state constitution.

The Constitution Defense League, which is opposing the marriage amendment, reported raising $181,040 during the three-week period, a good portion of which came from the national Human Rights Campaign based in Washington, D.C. In total, the Constitution Defense League reported raising $363,568 for the campaign.

A report was not available Monday evening for the Coalition to Protect Marriage in Missouri, which is supporting the ballot measure. Another group favoring the amendment, called Missourians for Marriage, reported collecting $4,573 in the period, for a total of about $5,400.