Missouri Misery 003: The Last and FINAL VLT Jump Scare
It'll... hardly ever happen again!
I reeeeeally wanted to bore you with an angry rant on the property developers who green-lit the VLT gambling dens in Springfield. City Hall thankfully handed them all walking papers earlier this month, and for the most part, the lights have shut off (thank God)! But the story continues, and Torch has placed themselves front and center.
Their response to the bill and the recent developments with Shell Knob native, Rep. Scott Cupps (158), chair of the House Subcommittee on Appropriations will have to take the front seat for now. I have three more reports in the queue on this topic:
Property Developers
Vape Stores
Short History of the Industry
Short but very sweet!
We voted them down and most of the operations have shuttered. However, Torch Electronics, who lease their “amusement devices” inside gas stations and bars, have placed a letter of indemnity for the establishments leasing space to the machines.
The letter from Torch’s lawyers says the ordinance is not enforceable at this time because it is not effective, adding that there are still 30 days until the ordinance is official.
Cora Scott, Springfield’s Information chief disagrees:
The city tells me in this case, part of the ordinance is that it “shall be in full force and effect from and after passage.” This means once the ordinance passed, it immediately became law.
“We are confident that the carefully researched and written ordinance does what we need it to do and complies with state law,” Scott said.
Ever get the feeling that some people just can’t take the hint? What is democracy even? We are inundated with entertainment and vice. Meanwhile houses are being boarded up around C-Street’s “revitalization” project.
Missouri Independent’s Deputy Editor, Rudi Keller reported on the ruckus made by Rep Scott Cupps (158 ) during last Wednesday morning’s Subcommittee on Appropriations meeting, where a much less itinerant looking Cupps currently serves as chair.
Some Key Takeaways:
There were not enough members to make a quorum, which would suggest the committee meeting was called on short notice. Basically called as an oversight hearing. It’s suggested more would’ve attended had Malek responded to the request to appear.
Cupps was unsuccessful at wrangling Treasurer Vivek Malek, who was testifying in another committee. He asserts Malek turned him down, but offered a meeting in private.
Cupps goes on to describe his personal encounters with businesses that are now brandishing these stickers on VLT terminals and pay kiosks. He includes an important detail on the recency of these stickers.
There was talk of escalating the issue to an Oversight Committee if Malek didn’t respond.
Rep Mazzie Christensen (2), brought up the MSHP’s issue of prosecutors not prosecuting these cases.
Springfield banned these devices recently on February 12. Cupps reports seeing them now freshly displayed on the machines at a gas station he frequents a week later.
The controversy centers around the looks of the stickers as they resemble a certificate displayed on legal (in some places) Lottery Pull Tab machines.
It’s mentioned in the meeting that all the profits go to schools. But that’s untrue. And that’s a really good reason for some further studies. And perhaps it’s time Missourians are surveyed on the prevalence of amusement around them?
If you’ve followed along I’m not a fan of gambling at all, but this is a pretty bad look. A week after the machines were banned in Springfield, these stickers magically appear.
Keller then posted an update on Friday with an attached response from State Treasurer Vivek Malek which reads more like a campy advertisement for his Unclaimed Money program than an explanation as to why these stickers had such a problematic placement. “Unclaimed Money” is analogous to “Free Puppies” from a political stand point.
He also claimed the Treasurer’s office spent no taxpayer money on the stickers, which immediately raises questions as to where the money came from and who printed and distributed them?
In the letter he agreed to appear in front of Appropriations this Tuesday (2/27), scheduled for 8:15 am CST in Joint Hearing Room (117). These hearings are all live-streamed 🔴on the house website, so bring your breakfast popcorn.
There is a lot of money wrapped up in blocking sensible VLT legislation. The lions share comes from Torch and Warrenton Oil, they have a relationship with the Governor and Attorney General through their ties with Missouri power lobbyist, Steven Tilley.
Tilley also lobbies for Dallas firm, Gardner Capital, a property development company that focuses on syndication of tax credits for affordable housing. They’re based in Clayton, MO and Dallas, TX, but have offices scattered around the country. They just built that huge solar farm in Nixa and have done likewise in other areas of the state. All worth noting.
Update: Full Oversight Meeting With Vivek Malek 2/27