The Minnesota Gambling Control Board just released fiscal year 2018 nonprofit charitable gaming profit numbers averaging $157 million, mainly from pull tab sales. The report also shows our community nonprofits like Elks, Eagles, Lions, VFWs, trail associations and youth sports paid $75 million in state income tax, plus another $6 million in fees.

Which means these nonprofits paid over $81 million in taxes, leaving only $70 million for the mission of our local charities — or an average tax rate of 51 percent or five times more than anyone else pays.

So now you know why informed TV is censored by our governor, congressional delegation, your legislators, Selective TV, Pioneer Public TV, MN Channel and the FCC all over Minnesota. For they don’t want you to see the Alexandria Elks in FY 2017 kept only $84,000 while paying Minnesota $284,000, and Merrick, Vadnais Heights in FY 2018 kept only $352,837 but paid the state of Minnesota $1,598,712.

Alan Roebke

Alexandria