Well, I guess this could be considered great news for Pennsylvania’s cash reserve, as the Pennsylvania state legislatures are ready to accept a final deal on a bill that includes the introduction of table games to casinos around the state. I’m skeptic of all of this, as Governor Philly oops, I mean Rendell has been saying that he will only press for proposed lay-offs if the bill doesn’t pass. I’d like to have that in writing AND in blood good sir.
I just can’t believe a thing that man says, but it makes more sense as to why the older people voted for him. He gave them the pathway to providing mindless entertainment with their social security checks. Sounds like a win win for them and him. Regardless getting back on the topic it hand, an excerpt from the Post-Gazette’s website stating just exactly what is and what could potentially happen withe proposed table game bill:
Democratic leaders said yesterday that the Democrat-controlled House had “reached a consensus” with the Senate Republican leaders on the measure during a conference call yesterday.
Erik Arneson, a spokesman for Senate Republican leader Dominic Pileggi of Delaware County stopped short of saying there was a consensus but said that a bill could be approved in the next few days. “We are optimistic,” he said.
The announcement came as Gov. Ed Rendell said he may be forced to lay off as many as 1,100 state employees if a deal wasn’t reached by Friday. He asked Cabinet members yesterday to develop a plan for layoffs, starting Friday if there is no agreement. Most of the layoffs would come from the state prison system and the Department of Public Welfare.
A key disagreement between House and Senate members was whether to add a third license for a resort casino. The 2004 slots law permitted two of these smaller casinos, which could have up to 500 slots and perhaps table games like blackjack, poker and roulette. One of the two existing licenses has been awarded.
The bill also would increase the number of slot machines a resort casino could operate to 600 from the current 500.
Legislative officials said leaders agreed on a provision of the bill that would create an open application process for the remaining resort license, which would give Nemacolin Woodlands resort in Fayette County a chance to compete for it. A convention center near Gettysburg may also seek that license, which has prompted strong opposition from historical groups because of its proximity to the Civil War battlefield.
There will also likely be another license created in 2017 under yesterday’s agreement, officials said.
Really, I’d love to be optimistic about this, and saying that the lay-off crisis would be diverted if the bill was passed would be great. However, the change wouldn’t affect anything short-term, and the issue with the lay-offs would still be relevant? It’s all a wishy washy subject, as one second a politician says he’s not going to tax us, and then three months later he taxes twice as much as he said he wasn’t going to do in the first place.
Personally, I’m for the table games bill. There really was no point in adding an electric casino to an area that gets little traffic volume with
the exception of the Pitt Panthers and Pittsburgh Steelers football season. Now maybe, just maybe I’d pay a visit to a casino that actually felt like a real casino. The last thing stopping me is the ludicrous alcohol charges while you are gambling, as most casinos comp you free alcohol as long as you are gambling. They need to fix that because I’m not spending $7 on a captain and coke that’s 2 ounces in total.
Finally the last little bit from that article states:
The Legislature approved a budget last fall that depended on $250 million in license fees and taxes from the legalization of table games at state casinos, which only have slot machines. The House and Senate have approved different versions of a table games bill, but had been unable to settle differences over the past six weeks.
Under the agreement forged yesterday, officials said, licensing fees would range from $7.5 million to $16.5 million depending on the size and type of the casino. Casinos would pay a 14 percent state tax and a 2 percent local tax in the first two years.
Good deal, just as long as more money goes to the state, and the people that live in this state get some kind of reprieve. I’m tired of the constant tax increases. I’m still a little bit steamed over the Turnpike increase. While my route only went up by 5 cents, it’s still stupid I have to pay it for a road that’s really barely taken care of in most spots.
Tue, Jan 5, 2010
Political