State Sen. Bill Eigel (R-Weldon Spring) tells 939 the Eagle’s “Wake Up Mid-Missouri” that there is no path forward for sports wagering legislation this year. The 2023 session ends this evening at 6. He says any bill that would pass today with Sportsbook attached to it would be a clear Hammerschmidt multiple subject violation and would be thrown out by the courts. Senator Eigel also delivered a message to Missouri Senate and House GOP leaders on “Wake Up”: he says the Missouri Senate will pass his personal property tax cut bill today or nothing else will happen. Eigel says it’s badly needed for seniors and others hit with whopping personal property tax bills:
Hoskins: Missouri gaming legislation would be impacted by Hammerschmidt; final day of session is today
Sports wagering could be dead for Missouri’s 2023 session, which wraps up at 6 this evening in Jefferson City.
Senate Economic Development and Tax Policy Committee chairman Denny Hoskins (R-Warrensburg) tells 939 the Eagle that there are no bills currently under consideration that have Sportsbook on them. Senator Hoskins says any bill that passed with Sportsbook on it would be a clear Hammerschmidt multiple subject violation and would be thrown out by the courts. Senate President Pro Tem Caleb Rowden (R-Columbia) and House Speaker Dean Plocher (R-Des Peres) have been trying to get the bill through. The clock is the biggest factor facing them now.
Lawmakers have approved a total of 23 bills, which include budget bills. The governor has already signed bipartisan physical therapy legislation. Missouri lawmakers have also passed bipartisan distracted driving legislation, a crime package and two transgender bills. The texting while driving bill heading to Governor Mike Parson’s (R) desk would create a hands-free driving requirement for all Missourians.
Anti-hazing legislation appears to be dead at the Missouri Capitol for the 2023 session, due to language concerns about the bill. House Speaker Plocher tells “Wake Up Mid-Missouri” that he doesn’t like fellow State Rep. Travis Smith’s (R-Dora) bill that says any person who renders aid to a hazing victim or the first to call 911 is immune from prosecution. Speaker Plocher notes that under the bill’s language, you could haze someone before calling 911 and be immune. The Speaker says it should be a duty for people to help each other.
Former Mizzou student Danny Santulli’s family members say that he’s blind and unable to walk, after an alleged October 2021 hazing incident at a Mizzou fraternity house.
Slot machines would be legalized in Missouri, under proposed gaming bill
A veteran state lawmaker who represents Howard County in the 939 the Eagle listening area says expanding gaming will help Missouri honor its commitment to veterans.
State Sen. Denny Hoskins (R-Warrensburg) has filed Senate Bill one, which is called the “honoring Missouri veterans and supporting Missouri education act.” Hoskins’ bill would legalize video lottery terminals (VLTs) in fraternal and veterans’ organizations and truck stops. VLTs are slot machines.
“I have a veterans home in Warrensburg in my district as well as a (state) veterans cemetery in Higginsville. During the current year, they’re about $50-million short. So we had to supplement their budget with general revenue of about $50-million,” Hoskins says.
Hoskins’ bill also authorizes wagering on sporting events, including e-sports. He says Missouri must honor its commitment to veterans.
“Video lottery terminals, which are in my bill to legalize, would bring into the state about $250-million. So that would more than cover that (shortfall). Sportsbook, which is also part of my bill, would bring in a little less than $10-million,” says Hoskins.
There has been opposition to slot machines in the Legislature and from others who believe they’re illegal. Former Senate President Pro Tem Dave Schatz (R-Sullivan) was an outspoken critic of slots. The Missouri Lottery has testified that illegal slot machines cost Missouri education about $50-million a year.
Hoskins: sports wagering is a solution to funding Missouri veterans homes
A veteran Missouri lawmaker who’s in his 14th year in Jefferson City is frustrated by the Legislature’s failure to pass Sportsbook, which is sports wagering. Powerful Senate Economic Development Committee Chairman Denny Hoskins, R-Warrensburg, is looking for a solution to fully fund Missouri veterans homes and cemeteries, and to help education. “I definitely want to see …
Hoskins says sports wagering and slot machine legislation would bring millions of dollars to Missouri
The Missouri Senate Economic Development Committee chairman supports an all-inclusive gaming agenda this year, including sportsbook and slot machines. State Sen. Denny Hoskins (R-Warrensburg) tells 939 the Eagle’s “Wake Up Columbia” that he’s hopeful a gaming bill will pass this year. He’s filed Senate Bill 643 and several other bills. “There’s 30-plus states now that …