Bill would ban Missouri food stamp recipients, among others, from casinos

[proud2BlibKansan]

A Republican senator from St. Joseph has introduced legislation banning anyone who receives certain types of public assistance from entering the gaming areas of Missouri casinos.

Sen. Rob Schaaf’s legislation would cover anyone receiving food stamps assistance, federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families benefits, low income home energy assistance or MO HealthNet services. The Missouri Department of Social Services would be required to turn over a list of people receiving such public assistance to the Missouri Gaming Commission. The names would be placed on a list alongside problem gamblers who have voluntarily banned themselves from casinos.

Names would be removed from the banned list once they are no longer receiving public assistance.

Any person identified on a Missouri gaming floor in violation of Schaaf’s legislation would be charged with trespassing.

Read more here: http://midwestdemocracy.com/articles/bill-would-ban-missouri-food-stamp-recipients-casinos/#storylink=cpy

[Ian David]

1. Why not also make them wear special armbands? n/t

[rurallib]

14. maybe something in a star?

[nanabugg]

30. Now just how much money do you think it will cost the state to enforce this nonsense?

More than all the food stamp recipients all together is my guess. But, hey, it would create more jobs?

[MattBaggins]

2. Gambling interests are a powerful lobby

This will fail.

[orpupilofnature57]

3. Does that include all municipal employees ?

senators ,congressmen ,oil barons getting millions and the mortgage brokers we bailed out?

[rucky]

67. Maybe even some of the part-time casino employees?

[NutmegYankee]

93. Why Municipal Employees?

I only ask because their seems to be this mistaken belief across the political spectrum that Public employees do not earn their pay. Municipal workers are paid a wage for labor performed, and as such their pay is not a "handout" in any sense. Once they get their compensation (paycheck) it's their money to spend on whatever they see fit.

[orpupilofnature57]

94. I'm a municipal employee ,and work hard

but public funds are used to pay me ,where do we draw a line ,or preferably not ,on policing where and how tax monies allocated are spent?

[NutmegYankee]

97. My point is that you cannot be told what to do with your own money.

It doesn't matter where your money comes from. Once you get paid and that money is in your hands, no one can tell you what to do with it.

As for this bill, I find it disgusting, but not unexpected from the right. They seek to always make the poor miserable.

[orpupilofnature57]

98. We're in fulll agreement ,my point also.

From the president to the subsidized bail-outs , it's all from tax dollars ,and it's a slippery slope to draw a line.

[southernyankeebelle]

4. I didn't know anyone could use food stamps at a casino. Anyone know if that is true or are the

republicans just making up busy work to look busy and not dealing with real problems.

[arbusto_baboso]

5. It's simply not possible. It's more repub bullshit.

[southernyankeebelle]

9. I didn't think so. Why in the world would a person do that.

[arbusto_baboso]

15. More poor-bashing.

Because righties assume that poor whites will blame poor minorities and want these senseless and/or punitive measures enacted.

[ozone82]

87. Think They Refering To This...

[link:http://articles.latimes.com/2010/jun/24/local/la-me-welfare-casinos-20100624|

[arbusto_baboso]

102. Food stamps are entirely seperate from the cash aid portion of the card.

Conflating the two is pure evil, even by Republican standards.

[southernyankeebelle]

25. I guess I could agree with that. Surely I can't think anyone would do that. They would be looked a

pretty silly, don't you think? I think I'd rather put food on the table for my family.

[demtenjeep]

29. what if it were a gift or that someone saved to go?

this bill is bullshit

[southernyankeebelle]

31. I think they should be able to go but not use food stamps.

[demtenjeep]

36. they can NOT use food stamps There are not even paper stamps anymore

it is a card and they use it like a Credit Card/Debit Card.

Just won't happen

[xmas74]

44. You can't use food stamps at a casino.

You also cannot use the EBT cash card. From what I understand, they don't take them. (And I know people who work at casinos here in Missouri-some of the better jobs with decent benefits are at the casinos.)

[metalbot]

11. They aren't addressing the use of food stamps in casinos (which is a non-issue)

What they are doing is making it illegal for someone who is a recipient of food stamps from entering a casino.

[southernyankeebelle]

13. Wow can they do that if the person going in isn't playing anything? Personally I wouldn't want to

go in knowing I didn't have the money even to go eat.

[proud2BlibKansan]

18. There is a list of banned persons

I believe in most states with casinos?

[southernyankeebelle]

19. I didn't know that. I don't gamble and never have been to a casino.

[proud2BlibKansan]

34. You can add yourself to the list

Some people do when they think they have a gambling problem. But you can never get off the list and the list is for EVERY state, not just the state where you live and or gamble.

[southernyankeebelle]

42. Wow now that is interesting. I guess if you really have a gambling problem it is a good idea.

[LiberalFighter]

96. Can politicians be added to the list like Newt? Romney?

[xmas74]

45. Actually,

I've heard that it's pretty cheap to eat at some of the casinos. Some have buffets that offer a decent variety for a low price. Also, sometimes there are giveaways for free tickets for shows and concerts held at a local casino.

[RZM]

64. The place I go actually has pretty expensive food

But if you play enough, you get it comped. I don't go all that much and when I'm there I'm pretty much a 'low-roller' but I'm actually surprised at the amount of comps I get. Whenever I go I get a free room and eat for free too.

[xmas74]

69. I have an old friend who works in food service on the boats

and she said for what's offered the price is reasonable. She said that there are quite a few who come only for the all-you-can-eat buffet. Compared to some of the prices of regular restaurants offered in our town it's not a surprise that it's a decent deal.

I work with someone who goes every year with his wife to the boat. They save their money, dine out (it's the all-you-can-eat crab legs that bring them in), and then play slots until they lose the amount set. (It's very little money-less than the price of going to the movies for the night, from what I understand. And if they win they only play for one hour, max and then take home everything left.)

They go out once a year. That's it. They save their money to go out. If this bill passes they will no longer get to go once a year, since his wife receives assistance after suffering from a stroke. The bill just seems cruel when you think of people like them.

[haele]

82. So, if the food stamp recipient was invited to the casino buffet or one of the shows by a friend -

They aren't allowed? Not to go to a concert (Casinos are often big name concert venues in more remote areas), or the casino outlet mall, or go to a cheap all-you-can-eat buffet with a friend?

Just on the off chance the food stamp recipient might want to drop $5 or $10 on the penny slots, I guess.

If there's a problem gambling issue, the Casinos probably already know about the person and they'd be on "the list".

Next up - Food Stamp recipients aren't allowed in Movie Theaters or Amusment Parks unless they're employed there.


Haele

[proud2BlibKansan]

16. That's not what this bill says

It says food stamp recipients can't spend ANY money at a casino.

[Chan790]

99. No, it says they can't enter the gaming areas of the casinos.

Mind you, working the casino floor is a highly lucrative career-option for someone who couldn't afford to go to college. Want to get people off public assistance? taking away one of the best career options they have is not a good start.

[former9thward]

27. That is not what the law is about.

The sponsors think that if you are receiving food aid you should not be throwing away your cash in a casino.

[southernyankeebelle]

28. Well I have to say I agree with that. But really how many people go to casinos with food stamps? I

think this is just another case of republicans doing nothing but look busy. They don't want to talk real issues. God forbid they would want to help the working people.

[xmas74]

46. It's not just food stamps.

It's also Mo HealthNet, which is the state health insurance program for children. Most of the casino employees I know have their kids on the HealthNet program.

So, if they use HealthNet and work on the floor of a casino, can they be arrested for trespassing? What about a few of the servers working the floor receiving food stamps?

[etherealtruth]

48. No what the law says is that you can't enter the casino...

I don't care for gambling or casinos ... they are simply not fun for me. However, I know groups of people that go for "fun." I live in metro Detroit, there are casinos in the city .... there are plenty of folk that go downtown to the casinos for birthdays, bachelor/bachelorette parties (etc) ... what gives the state the right to decide that the poor can't (by law) participate in these celebrations?

The poor do not surrender their basic rights simply by being poor ... it saddens me that there are those that apparently believe rights are tied to economic status.

Astounding

[pstokely]

105. Maybe you could if the casino sells candy bars

You can buy junk food with food stamps

[southernyankeebelle]

110. LOL, I would be to embrassed to use them in a casino. But then again I have never been

in a position I had to have them.

[onethatcares]

6. why not just brand them?

on the cheek or something.

these fucking legislators are getting out of hand.

[southernyankeebelle]

20. LOL, don't give them ideas.

[Tikki]

62. ..or chip 'em....that way a scanner at the door will catch them...

Tikki

[Starry Messenger]

7. WTF?

[Justice wanted]

8. Wait a minute. MOST people on Public assistance couldn't even afford to spend monies that way

[The Genealogist]

12. The slopes these days are slippery

How long until people on benefits have to wear an ankle bracelet that tracks their movements? Go down the wrong street and go to jail. Perhaps hire citizen spies to write down everything people receiving any kind of benefits buys at the store, and anything bought that is on a "banned" list will cause jail time. Maybe we can track where people on benefits go on the internet, and if they go to any sites that RWers hate, they go to jail. Maybe make everyone on any kind of government assistance have a big red "A" tattooed on their foreheads. Then force them all to the town square and require everyone else to mock them and throw rotten vegetables at them. Hell, how about just putting everyone below a certain income right into a prison work camp? Yeah, way down the slippery slope, but it is getting more ridiculous by the day.

[southernyankeebelle]

26. Don't laugh but didn't I read somewhere that Blumberg the mayor of NY wants to put some type

of braclet or ankle braclet of some type of obese kids to track what they are doing and how much activity they are getting. This is 1984 coming true. If you haven't seen it you can online. Just google 1984 and watch it. Today its the obese kid, tommorrow the really thin child, what is next.

[Chan790]

100. Michael Bloomberg is an idiot...

the fact that he's a self-made millionaire astounds me somewhat. I mean the guy's king fucking dunce.

One of my favorite tee-shirts I bought when I lived in Brooklyn says "Fuck Bloomy!" I got cheers and complements everywhere I went with it on. He spent a fortune to barely win his last election and I doubt he'd win again if he ran.

[southernyankeebelle]

101. I agree. When you own your TV station how else would the race have ended.

[think]

17. another example of Republican's wanting government out of their lives

but having no problem if the government is in your life.

[proud2BlibKansan]

21. That's a perfect description

[rhett o rick]

22. How the hell would this be enforced? Would the police have a

master list of food stamp users? and cruise the casinos? Notice the casinos will not be held accountable. Therefore they wont screen.

[proud2BlibKansan]

38. The casinos check people as they walk in the door

All the casinos in MO are set up that way. I would imagine food stamp recipients would be added to the Do Not Enter list.

[MNBrewer]

65. I've been to a few casinos and have never been asked for my ID.

[proud2BlibKansan]

66. In MO, you have to give them a casino card as you walk in

They scan it. If you don't have a card, they can check ID. Sometimes they do, sometimes they don't. But they film everyone going in and find you if you're on 'the list' and somehow got past the front door.

[rhett o rick]

84. So every person would be checked against the "food stamp" list each and every time they enter.

And what would be the incentive for the casinos? Cant see them wanting to cooperate.

What do your casinos check "as they walk in the door"? They dont check shite in Washington the State.

[proud2BlibKansan]

86. The food stamp list would just be added to the list they already have

There is no incentive for the casinos. Well, to stay open would likely be an incentive.

[rhett o rick]

91. When you go to a casino they check you against a list? Not where I go.

i dont believe it is against the law for casinos to allow "food stamp" recipients on their premises. The law they are touting is just a feel good law. Look what we are doing. It isnt practical to enforce.

[proud2BlibKansan]

92. In MO, they check everyone who enters

They scan IDs and casino cards at the door. They take people out who get around their security, I have seen them do this and I know people who have been banned and escorted out.

[rhett o rick]

95. Unbelievable. There is no check at the door in Washington the State

with possible exception that someone watches for the under aged.

[pstokely]

106. People can add themselves to the problem gamblers list

nt

[jpljr77]

109. This would be enforced one way: WHEN SOMEONE WINS

Most adults can stroll right into a casino without being stopped and asked for ID. And they can game all they want.

But when they go to cash in those chips, things get a little more strict. This is how underage gamers are usually caught. So if a person hits a modest jackpot on the slots, for example, let's say $1,000 and goes to collect, THAT'S when stuff starts getting verified.

This is a lot nastier than people realize, because guess who gets to keep all of the money if the verification doesn't go through?

[rhett o rick]

111. Very good point. nm

[liberal N proud]

23. The scarlet letter

How else would they control access?

[etherealtruth]

24. You "gotta" love the war on poverty ...

... I mean the war on the poor. some days I am sute I have fallen down the rabbit hole.

[mackattack]

32. How can the government stop someone from participating

in the free market like this? I thought that was the whole purpose of the civil rights legislation, to stop businesses from keeping people out.

[orpupilofnature57]

33. It's the war on the poor ,as Haleeeburton

is the biggest leech on our funds , 600% during the war on mass weapons Obstruction ,shhhoo.

[Shandris]

35. 10-to-1 says the actual reason has something to do with the buffets.

Maybe someone got inside, dropped a couple quarters in the slot machine, then enjoyed the buffet? It's the only thing I can think of that even remotely makes sense, and even then it simply can't be enough of a problem to warrant the state spending that much cash.

[Major Nikon]

37. They should ban churches from accepting donations from them also

Makes more sense.

[alphafemale]

40. ++++++++ Now we're talking!

Televangetheives barred from stealing grannies SSI cheeck!

My mom sent Robert Tilton a check for $2.27 (or some other odd amount) once. She despised the guy btw. But she sent it along with a letter saying that this was all she could afford, and I can't remember all the details, but she listed personal hardships she invented.

The Robert Tilton "ministry" sent her letters that progressed from politely asking for a repeat donation to awful things that said "God" will bring sickness and grief to the unfaithful and wicked. Which, it was strongly implied, was what a non-donor to Robert Tilton "ministries" was.

But donors to Robert Tilton would see their gift returned by God 50 fold!

[pstokely]

107. She should have just sent him expired coupons

I stuff those in the prepaid envelopes that come with the letters from the fundy mailing lists I'm on

[pstokely]

108. She should have just sent him expired coupons

I stuff those in the prepaid envelopes that come with the letters from the fundy mailing lists I'm on

[Proud Liberal Dem]

39. The treatment of the needy and even the criminal

in our supposedly "Christian nation" is becoming unquestionably despicable. We've so thoroughly demonized them to the point that they are increasingly stigmatized as being unworthy of any compassion and basic respect for their gignity as human beings.

[Taitertots]

41. It is absurd that we even need to discuss this

People should have the good sense to avoid gambling when they don't have enough money for food.

[xmas74]

47. It's all programs for assistance in Missouri.

It's not just food stamps.

I worked at a place that would occasionally give away concert tickets for shows at the local casinos. (I live in Missouri.) What if a person won tickets for a show? They go to the boat, drop a couple of dollars on slots just to say they did, saw the show, and then went home. I guess now they wouldn't be able to accept the tickets.

Also, I know employees working at the local casinos. More than a few are on food stamps, heating assistance, and/or Mo HealthNet. Does this mean they can no longer work as servers or cleaning staff on the floor?

[etherealtruth]

49. The poor do NOT deserve any enjoyment in life ...

(I've read, essentially, that thought right here on DU). If they won tickets ...those tickets should immediately be given to someone that is not poor (their economic status alone identifies them as worthy).

I have no doubt there would be exceptions made for poor folk to clean up after the more affluent.

* do I really need the sarcasm thingy?

[xmas74]

50. You don't need it with me.

And are you sure about the exceptions? They may demand that they give up services in order to keep their jobs. In this economy no one wants to give up their job, especially since the casinos around here pay more than $7.25 an hour.

[etherealtruth]

56. I don't know if I am heartened or disheartened by these threads

In honesty, the vast majority of posters are horrified by the vilification of the poor ... but, there is still a significant number of posters that truly believe (and stridently defend) that the poor "should" give up their basic human rights as a condition of receiving any help.

In seriousness, I do see your question about the possibility of giving up services in order to keep their job as a possibility.

Again, I am astounded.

[xmas74]

59. I live in Missouri.

I can actually see them doing just that-demanding they give up services in order to work. Of course, if you quit your job then you don't qualify for unemployment in this state. Oh, and it's getting harder and harder to get assistance. It's very hard to get heating assistance right now. I know of someone through our church who has been on the wait list for two years for heating assistance.

And rental assistance/Section 8-they opened the application office for one day last year. (No applications were accepted for four years prior.) At the end of the day they closed it, stating they were taking no more applications. The applications weren't for assistance. They were to get your place in line to be considered for assistance when a spot finally opens.

Food pantries constantly beg for food around here because there isn't enough to cover everyone. Yes, some churches and organizations do try to help but when times have been tough not everyone can afford to donate like they once did. People who once donated every month have cut down on donations. People who donated their "Lord's Acre" to the church and to the food pantry (Lord's Acre is 10% of what you've grown on your land) have had to cut down and save it back for their own families. Same with hunters who once donated an entire deer, processing price paid by them, to food pantries. Now that same deer is being stockpiled in their deep freeze at home because they're worried about running out of food.

[EFerrari]

51. Just because Republicans want something banned doesn't mean it's a problem.

They hire PR people to come up with this stuff so they can get time in the media. Like that idiot that wanted to ban fetuses in food. This is the same sh!t.

[SoCalDem]

76. Yep.. all it takes is for ONE "winner" to comment that they were poor and had once used food stampa

and right wingers morph it into something that EVERY winner who "looks" poor has done.

People are often so excited when they finally win something, that they say things they later wish they had not said.

Reporters dig for stuff too that will make the winners more "interesting".

[MH1]

71. Just because a republican legislator introduces legislation about something

doesn't mean it's a significant problem, or even that it actually happens.

See also: Oklahoma republican state legislator introduces a bill to ban chopped up fetuses being used in food. <<-- yes it really happened.


Edit to add: I probably should have read EFerrarri's post just above mine. Honestly, I didn't read that before I posted. It's just the obvious response.

[xmas74]

43. What if you work for a casino

yet still receive food stamps? I know someone who has four kids, works for a casino, but receives food stamps and MC+

[proud2BlibKansan]

55. Casino employees are not allowed to gamble

[xmas74]

58. I know they're not allowed to gamble

but the way this is written is doesn't say gamble-it says they cannot be on the floor.

[proud2BlibKansan]

60. They just won't let them past security at the door

[xmas74]

68. Unless they change the wording of the law

they can't even work the floor, even to clean.

This whole darn bill is stupidity in action.

[proud2BlibKansan]

73. Silly. Food stamp recipients don't WORK.

They sit at home and eat all day long while plotting more ways they can steal our tax dollars from us hard working folks.

[xmas74]

75. duh!

What was I thinking?!

I forgot that they sit at home all day, watching the soon-to-be-extinct daytime soaps or Univision while eating bon bons and flushing their birth control pills down the toilet. More babies, more welfare.

Whatever was I thinking?

[cthulu2016]

52. Missouri identifies Missouri casinos as sure-lose propositions

Since the logic here treats visiting Missouri casinos as irresponsibly throwing money away perhaps the problem is the state being involved in profiting from stealing the citizenry's money.

I imagine that if one looks at the advertising for these casinos they could reasonably infer that patronizing casions offers a great opportunity to get off public assistance.

[MineralMan]

53. Many bills are introduced. Few become law. nt

[madinmaryland]

54. Yet they have no problem with those same people spending money on lottery tickets.

Which is a much more regressive tax than allowing them into casinos. As said elsewhere, most people who are on food stamps and other support, probably don't have the money to even get into casinos.

What a mis-guided effort.

[RedRocco]

81. here in SC a person on assistance cannot collect lottery winnings

unless they are low enough for the point of sale to pay out.

[trumad]

57. Since when did they start asking for ID's in Missouri casinos?

How will they know if you are on food stamps?

Will it be attached to your drivers license?

This would be a bureaucratic nightmare and most likely be shot down in the courts.

[proud2BlibKansan]

61. They screen everyone who comes in

They have a security device that scans IDs.

[trumad]

78. Never had mine scanned...

[proud2BlibKansan]

79. I have casino cards

but I watch them scan IDs every time I'm there.

[trumad]

80. On entrance...?

Still--- they will have to tie food stamps to drivers license... that don't seem easy.

[proud2BlibKansan]

88. They already have a list of folks who can't come in

They can easily add food stamp recipients to the list.

I'm NOT approving of this - just explaining it's not hard to do.

[Cleita]

63. How about introducing a bill to kick out senators who put up police state

bills like this. It's just another obstruction tactic to keep governing bodies from doing their job by taking up their time with this crap.

[stlsaxman]

70. Okay, sure- they can pass this law as soon as they can guaranty that proceeds from the Lottery go to

the Public School System- as they promised it would- and not siphoned off to the general debt.

Then and only then.

[proud2BlibKansan]

74. Actually that money does go to education

The problem is it's only about a tenth of a percent of the total education budget. So it doesn't really make a difference.

[vankuria]

72. May-be they should extend this ban

to movie theaters, amusement parks, field days, state fairs, etc. Since the reasoning is if you can't afford food then you can't afford entertainement either. And while they're at it, how about anyone getting any state or federal benefits be excluded from anything that would be considered entertainment. This is indeed a "slippery slope" and I can only hope someone has some sense to stop this insanity.

[xmas74]

77. You forgot about school field trips

and high school football games. (Unless the kid is good enough to win a state championship, of course, but his parents wouldn't be allowed to watch.)

That would eventually be part of something like this.

[Solly Mack]

83. His embraced cruelty is a measure of his ignorance.

The twisted mind sees strength in cowering others.

Fucker.

[PotatoChip]

85. What if they work there?

Many people make so little that even with a 40 hour work week, they qualify for some type of assistance. Food servers for example, are often paid less then minimum wage. Tips are supposed to make up for that, which is why it's legal to pay waitstaff less. But sometimes they have slow days or too many poor tippers.

And even a person receiving full minimum wage would probably qualify if they have one or more children. I wonder if the bill will take this into account?

What is it w/Republicans and this mean spirited war on the poor anyway? Yeah, I know they've always had a cruel streak to them, but it really seems to have intensified as of late.

[RZM]

89. In that case they are probably banned from playing there anyway

At least at that particular casino.

[PotatoChip]

90. Hmm, yeah. I hadn't thought of that.

You are probably right.

But my other comment still stands. Republicans are nothing but mean spirited jerks... It's this idea they have in their little peon brains that people on public assistance are a bunch of, gambling, cadillac driving, pill popping, low life, fraudster types. I guess what I'm trying to say, is that the bill, in and of itself, will probably have little to zero impact on the lives of people on public assistance since I highly doubt that they are out there gambling anyway. ---It's just the implication that they are that pisses me off.

If people are poor enough to qualify for public assistance, it means that they are barely scraping by. Whatever assistance they are getting would not be enough for all of these 'vices' that they are being accused of. Pukes act as if these poor people are living it up somehow.

[WI_DEM]

103. Which party practices 'class warfare'?

[yellowcanine]

104. Quite sure this would violate privacy laws and due process rights in the Constitution.

Social service depts cannot turn over lists of people receiving public assistance, not even to other agencies or charities who might want to provide programs to assist people.

And the Constitution doesn't allow this kind of arbitrary ban on the participation of individuals in legal commercial activity.