Hearing today in Jefferson City on Proposition A

Opponents and supporters of Proposition A, the measure to limit the number of casinos and increase casino taxes to benefit schools, are in court in Jefferson City today for a hearing on constitutional challenges to the proposal.

David Knight, owner of Old Hickory Pits in Cape Girardeau, has joined forces with Rep. Ray Salva, D-Independence, and the anti-gambling group Casino Watch in an attempt to force Proposition A off the Nov. 4 ballot. They raised issues that include a constitutional question of whether the proposal covers too many subjects as well as legal issues aimed at how estimates of potential new revenue were calculated.

Secretary of State Robin Carnahan and State Auditor Susan Montee are the defendants in the lawsuit; the Yes on Proposition A committee has joined the case as an intervenor on the side of Carnahan and Montee.

Circuit Judge Richard Callahan could make a ruling on the issues aimed at pushing the measure off the ballot, said Chuck Hatfield, attorney for Yes on Proposition A in an interview Monday.

In addition to limiting the number of casinos in Missouri and increasing the tax on casino profits, the measure would eliminate the $500 loss limit and require annual audits of the new revenue to make sure it supplements and does not replace existing sources of money for public schools.

According to the estimate prepared by Montee, the measure would raise $105 million to $130 million in new revenue for schools annually. Opponents contend that casino business would have to increase by $1 billion annually to meet that goal.

The hearing begins at 1:30 p.m.

For updates, check back at semissourian.com or read Thursday's Southeast Missourian.