Missouri’s Childhood Literacy is in Decline
When a child is not proficient in reading by third grade, they are “likely to become our nation’s lowest-income, least-skilled, least-productive, and most costly citizens tomorrow.”
Missouri used to be a leader in early childhood literacy, ranking 14th in the nation in 2003. But as of this year we’ve slipped to 37th, falling behind six of our eight neighboring states. Today, seven in ten Missouri fourth graders are not proficient in reading - an unacceptable number in 2024. And while the state government spends money each year on locally-focused programs, currently there is no dedicated annual funding stream for statewide early-childhood literacy learning in Missouri.
YES on 5 is the SOLUTION to Improving Early-Childhood Literacy in Missouri
Studies have shown that for every dollar spent on early-childhood education, three to seven dollars are saved on social services through things like reduced teen pregnancy, improved graduation rates, and reduced incarceration rates.
Amendment 5 will allow for a new casino and resort destination on the Osage River at the Lake of the Ozarks. All state tax revenues from the new casino complex – estimated at $14 million annually – are constitutionally required to go directly to early-childhood literacy programs in public schools. That represents a 53% increase in funding over current levels of a little over $27 million and would become the first constitutionally-required, dedicated, annual funding stream for early-childhood literacy programs in Missouri.
Constitutionally Required Funding
It’s right there in the ballot language - the estimated $14 million in state tax revenues generated by the new casino complex is constitutionally required to fund early-childhood literacy programs. Lawmakers will not have the option to divert the funds elsewhere.
“For the first time, Amendment 5 creates a constitutionally-required, dedicated, annual funding stream for early-childhood literacy programs.” - Rep. Cody Smith, Missouri House Budget Chairman
Hundreds of New Year-Round Jobs
YES on Amendment 5 would help create more than 700 new union, good-paying, year-round jobs in the Ozarks in addition to the 500+ short-term construction jobs during the project’s development. These are jobs that come with salary and benefits, providing new opportunities for job seekers in the region.
Positive Impact on the Lake
In addition to bringing in millions in new tax revenue annually to support childhood literacy programs across the state of Missouri, YES on Amendment 5 would bring in an estimated $2.4 million in local tax revenue every year to help improve roads, utilities, and public safety. The project plans include a casino, hotel, convention center and spa - an initial investment in Lake Ozark totalling over $400 million. If approved by the voters in November 2024, and after a legal gaming license is awarded, property development and construction should take 18 months to complete.
Local Community Support
Polling shows that residents of the Lake of the Ozarks and the surrounding region overwhelmingly support bringing a new casino and convention center to the area to increase jobs, economic growth, local tax revenues, and entertainment.