Southwest Mo. Teacher Says He's Embarrassed To See His Name on Mailer Supporting Prop A

UPDATED: PROP A PROPONENTS SHOW CAMPBELL'S SIGNATURE ON THEIR FORM

"Mr. Campbell may not have understood the information we sent him or forget that he signed up as a supporter of Prop A, but his lack of understanding or forgetfulness don't qualify as news," said Prop A spokesperson Scott Charton.

A southwest Missouri school teacher's name is incorrectly featured on a mailer promoting Proposition A, according to the group fighting to oppose the ballot initiative.

Doug Campbell, a teacher at Carl Junction High School, said his name appears on a promotional piece for the "Yes On A" coalition. In a press release from the "No on A" campaign, Campbell is quoted saying he was embarrassed to see his name supporting an initiative associated with gambling.

"I understand first hand the dangers of gambling, as I've seen people who have suffered the terrible consequences of gambling addiction. I don't support removing the $500 loss limit or anything else that will benefit casinos," said Campbell in a statement.

UPDATED 8:21 P.M. But proponents of Proposition A provided the letter with Campbell's signature to the KY3 Political Notebook. The YesforSchoolsFirst.com survey clearly shows Campbell's signature, with a Carl Junction address.

"The form is clear and so was his voluntary expression of support," said Proposition A spokesperson Scott Charton. "Our opponents are simply trying to bully a few teachers into claiming they didn't understand what they were supporting. It's a desperate last-minute ploy to try to divert voter attention from the fact that Prop A is supported by hundreds of teachers throughout the state," he added.

For more on the details of what Proposition A is, click HERE.

In the press release, Campbell goes on to add that he believes other school teachers may have been mislead about supporting Proposition A.

"I received a survey asking if I thought more funding for education was needed. The survey had the appearance of an official letter from a state educational organization with several educators and their schools listed, so I filled it out. The only question concerning casinos asked how important it was to prohibit the legislature from using revenue from casinos for these funds," Campbell said.

But Charton said that while Campbell might have misunderstood the information, "his lack of understanding doesn't qualify as news." "The fact is, hundreds of teachers throughout the state have endorsed a YES vote on Prop A, because it will provide over $100 million in vitally needed new revenues to schools statewide -- without increasing any taxes on Missouri residents," Charton told The Notebook.

Evelio Silvera, executive director of Casino Watch said, "There is no telling how many other educators around the state have been used by the casino industry. Mr. Campbell's bravery to step forward has exposed this unethical practice and I hope more teachers will come forward to tell their story."

Ad Campaign Ramps Up For Prop A

YES OR NO ON A?

Proposition A is a ballot initiative that, if approved, would repeal the loss limit at Missouri casinos. Right now, gamblers can't buy more than $500 worth of bets in two hours. The repeal of these limits are projected to increase casino revenue by as much as 30 percent. Prop A also raises taxes on casinos, and it caps the number of casino licenses in Missouri. The tax increase would provide around an estimated $110 million dollars more for public schools each year.


The Yes on A Coalition, recently went up with two television ads, promoting Proposition A. The first is a basic explainer, pointing out different portions of the initiative. Nothing misleading. But David Lieb of the Associated Press, writes that many of the largest school districts would not benefit from the fund because it is set up to run through the state school funding formula, established in 2005.

The second ad is more warm and fuzzy, with the entire 30-seconds featuring a kindly elderly man sitting in his living room explaining how Proposition A would benefit "our kids." Business groups and casinos doing business in Missouri are behind the measure. But anti-gambling organization Casino Watch is teaming up with others to oppose the measure. Evelio Silvera, the executive director of St. Louis-based Casino Watch, said he believes most Missourians are opposed to lifting caps on gambling losses. Silvera plans to hold news conferences throughout the state this week, including in Springfield, to outline his opposition to the measure. Meanwhile, The Joplin Globe reports that state education leaders aren't taking a position on the measure.