The first legislative special session in sixteen years will be held to consider school finance and gambling bills on 22 June. It was called after the 3 June Kansas Supreme Court ruling that school funding is unconstitutionally inadequate. Up for discussion are several options for expanding gambling in Kansas, but recent, more optimistic revenue projections may mean that legislators decide not to raise new funds through gambling expansion this year.

There are several proposals for increasing gambling in Kansas, including slot machines at horseracing venues and dog tracks. There is some backing for creating state-owned casinos to be operated under contract with private companies in places such as Kansas City, Wichita and Dodge City, and the Iowa tribe has advocated state-owned casinos run by tribal gaming operators. Further proposals for allowing a small number of slot machines in veteran groups’ halls and some clubs may also be considered, although this would raise questions about bars and other businesses being licensed to operate them.

Constitutional amendments to restrict the law court’s jurisdiction over school finances may be introduced, but at the moment Kansas must increase its school funding by $143 million by 1 July. The plans for five regional casinos, slots at pari-mutuels and a Kansas City casino will all be under consideration before a final decision is made on whether to increase the gambling offer in the State of Kansas. (E-06.21.05)

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