Should schools in communities that voted against keno still receive kindergarten funding from keno revenue?

Earlier this month, some towns and cities in New Hampshire voted whether to allow keno in their communities. While a majority of municipalities opted to permit the games, Concord, Dover, and Keene rejected them.

Read what our members have to say about keno in New Hampshire.

Putting keno funds to use

Under the new law, profits from keno games will go to fund full-day kindergarten programs across the Granite State.

Some, however, feel it is unfair that schools in the cities that voted against keno will receive the same share of funding as those in areas that legalized it.

Areas that approved keno included cash-strapped cities like Berlin, Franklin and Claremont.

Meanwhile, wealthier municipalities like Portsmouth will receive money for all-day kindergarten from the games, despite the fact that keno did not even make it on the ballot in that city. Some in the Granite State feel this is unfair.

In favor of broad distribution of keno funds

Those in favor of all schools receiving keno money regardless of how a town voted on the issue argue that the entire state needs more education funding. They feel a town should not have to embrace gambling in order to receive state money for all-day kindergarten. Forcing towns to choose between needed state dollars and keeping gambling out of their communities is unfair. Towns should, instead, decide their stance on keno without fear of missing out on education funding.

Restricting funds could be more fair

Those who oppose giving keno money to towns that don’t approve the games argue the current law has poorer communities subsidizing kindergarten in wealthier ones. After all, voters in towns that approved keno may have based their decision on the need for more education funding, rather than a need for more gambling. Therefore, the state should send keno money only to towns that actually allow the games.

What do you think? Should schools in communities that banned Keno receive money from Keno gaming? Let us know what you think by leaving a comment—yes or no, and why—in the space below.