JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) —Governor Nixon is calling for regulating and taxing online fantasy sports leagues in Missouri. Nixon said Wednesday in his State of the State address that the online gambling is completely unregulated and lobbyists want to keep it that way.
“Let’s get real,” Nixon said. “This is gambling, kids are playing, and it’s completely unregulated.”
Nixon said treating online fantasy sports like other casinos in the state could bring in millions of dollars for education.
GovernorNixon says he wants to sign into law a small increase in Missouri’s fuel tax. During his final State of the State Address, the governor said a bill from the Senate’s transportation chairman is a fair way to pay for roadwork. Doug Libla, a Poplar Bluff Republican, has proposed increasing the tax by 1.5 cents-per-gallon for gasoline and 3.5 cents for diesel.
Nixon said roads aren’t free and drivers should pay for updating the state’s transportation system. He said shifting money from elsewhere in the budget would be patching potholes with money for cops and schools, which he opposes.
Nixon also called for a $5 million increase in port funding.
Governo Nixon’s proposed budget for fiscal 2016 includes a pay increase for state employees and more spending on education. The governor and legislative leaders agree that the state’s revenues will increase 4.1 percent next year. Public universities and community colleges that froze their undergraduate tuition rates would receive around $55.6 million more in performance-based funding under Nixon’s proposed budget.
The foundation formula for K through 12 public schools would remain underfunded. Nixon has proposed increasing that funding by about $85 million. The state budget director says that would still leave it about $425 million short.
State employees would get a 2 percent pay increase starting July 1st.