Bill would reallocate state's casino money

STATE — A bill that would reallocate the state's income from the Oxford Casino to the Maine Department of Education has been introduced in the Maine Legislature.

The bill, introduced by Rep. James J. Campbell (U-Newfield), would require the state to fully fund its 55 percent share of K-12 public education, required by state statute. It currently funds 16 percent less than its obligation.

A portion of that funding would come from a reallocation of the state's entire income from the Oxford Casino.

Reached Monday, Campbell said the legislation is a reaction to Governor Paul LePage's stance on education.

Campbell said LePage retracted education funding and denigrated the state's public school system while promoting the benefits of charter schools.

Before investing in new education, the state should fulfill its responsibility, Campbell argues.

"I voted over a decade ago to fund our schools at 55 percent," he said.

"That's never happened –  and if this governor continues the way he's going with this [education] commissioner, we're going to have no public education."

The state claims 46 percent of the net slot machine income and 16 percent of the net table game income from Oxford Casino and disburses it to other entities.

Last year, the state brought in $13,748,140 in slot revenue and $1,064,364 from table games from Oxford Casino.

Twenty-five percent of slots and 10 percent of table games goes to the Department of Education.

The remainder is divided amongst multiple entities such as UMaine scholarship fund, Native American tribal governments and agricultural fairs. The town of Oxford claims 2 percent from both table games and slots and Oxford County takes 1 percent from both. 

If Campbell's bill passes as written, that revenue would be cut off.

Reached Tuesday, Town Manager Michael Chammings said the bill didn't worry him.

Although a Tuesday workshop for town and county officials to talk about the bill was cancelled, Chammings said it would be discussed informally later on.

"It's not deemed to be a threat, but it just needs to be addressed," Chammings said.

Campbell acknowledges his proposal will come up against opposition and said he's willing to sit down and discuss other ways to fund the proposal.

"I don't want to take money away from the Native Americans, or the people in the town or county," Campbell said. 

"If not one dime comes out of the casino but we can get things going in the right direction, that's fine with me too. My sights aren't set on the casino," Campbell said.