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May 8, 2012, 1:50 pm
Representatives Rosita Youngblood (D-Philadelphia) and Mike O’Brien (D-Philadelphia) today announced they plan to introduce legislation in the House that would redirect gaming funds currently going to provide wage tax reductions to the Philadelphia School District to prevent the possible closure of schools in the autumn.
According to the legislators the plan is being floated as an alternative to Mayor Michael Nutter’s plan to increase property taxes to help bridge the $90 million deficit facing the city’s schools. They said Mayor Nutter has warned that if funding is not found, facilities may be unable to re-open for the 2012-13 school year. Rep. Youngblood and Rep. O’Brien’s plan would inject $88 million into the school district’s coffers, and continue for up to five years if necessary.
“We want to make clear that we are not raising taxes with this legislation; we are just redirecting funds from the city’s gaming revenue, ” Rep. Youngblood said in a statement.
Rep. O’Brien advised the plan is currently being vetted with Republican staffers to assess its potential.
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March 14, 2012, 12:52 pm
Rep. Gene DiGirolamo speaks at PA Equine Coalition press conference
Lawmakers and members of the Pennsylvania Equine Coalition held a press conference today to urge Governor Corbett to reconsider part of his budget proposal that would redirect $72 million a year from the Racehorse Development Fund to other areas.
Carl McEntee, director of bloodstock services for Northview Stallion Station in Lancaster County, said the moneys for the fund, which come from casino slots revenue, were always intended to help maintain attractive purses for horse racing. He said the loss of that funding would cause breeders and owners to leave for other states, crippling the industry.
Legislators, including Rep. Gene DiGirolamo (R-Bucks), Rep. Chris Ross (R-Chester), Rep. Stan Saylor (R-York) and Sen. Tim Solobay (D-Washington) voiced their support for the industry in asking Gov. Corbett to rethink the proposal.
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March 7, 2012, 6:38 pm
Following its lengthy hearing with DPW this afternoon, the House Appropriations Committee capped off its penultimate day of budget hearings with representatives from the Pennsylvania Equine Coalition.
Discussion focused mainly around the proposal by Gov. Tom Corbett to cut $72 million from the Racehorse Development Fund and re-allocate a further $49 million to the General Fund. The Racehorse Development Fund, as a result of Act 71, is funded by casino slots revenue and supplements racing purses at Pennsylvania tracks. Horse breeders and representatives from the standard and thoroughbred horseman’s associations warned the loss of that money could have serious consequences for the equine industry and relegate Pennsylvania from its status as a top-10 racing venue in the country.
Check the Capitol Toolbox later this evening for the full story on the hearing. Not a PLS Capitol Toolbox subscriber? You can now purchase individual budget hearing recaps here.
February 28, 2012, 5:00 pm
The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board appeared before the Senate Appropriations Committee this afternoon to discuss their 2012-13 budget and the overall health of the state gaming industry.
With the PGCB’s budget paid for by the industry, focus rested on the board’s oversight of casino licensing and operations. In particular, committee members asked about the smoking ban in place among casino facilities, the ongoing presence of state police, and the prospects for what may happen with the license revoked by the Board from Foxwoods in Philadelphia. Members credited the board and the industry for generally living up to expectations with regard to property tax relief and improving the transparency and integrity of daily operations.
Check the Capitol Toolbox later this evening for the full story on the hearing. Not a PLS Capitol Toolbox subscriber? You can now purchase individual budget hearing recaps here.
February 23, 2012, 11:29 am
The House Appropriations Committee started off today’s budget hearings with the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB). Bill Ryan, Chairman of the PGCB an, and Kevin O’Toole, Executive Director of the PGCB fielded questions from members on a variety of issues including property tax relief, the PA Horse Development Fund and the status of Pennsylvania’s casinos. Check the Capitol Toolbox later this evening for the full story on the hearing. Not a PLS Capitol Toolbox subscriber? You can now purchase individual budget hearing recaps here.
October 5, 2011, 12:28 pm
The House Gaming Oversight Committee this morning held a public hearing to examine a slate of proposed bills that would enact recommendations issued by the 31st Statewide Investigating Grand Jury to reform the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board and make it more transparent and accountable.
PGCB Chairman Bill Ryan, along with Spectrum Gaming spokesman Michael Epps and former investigator for the Office of Inspector General James Kanavy testified on the 14 pieces of legislation, offering varied support and suggestions on the measures. Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story.
September 20, 2011, 1:37 pm
The Senate Committee on Community, Economic, and Recreational Development held a hearing today to consider the economic impact and status of the Pennsylvania gaming industry.
Kevin O’Toole, Executive Director of the Gaming Control Board, testified that slot machine fees and table game authorization fees have raised an additional $727.5 million dollars for the Commonwealth and created a significant number of jobs. Pennsylvania Treasurer Robert McCord, along with representatives from The Innovation Group, presented an overview of the Pennsylvania Gaming Market Assessment and Competitive Analysis, a study undertaken to assess the revenue potential for the two undeveloped PA gaming licenses; the proposed Valley View location and the former Foxwoods site in Philadelphia. The study determined that a site in southern York County has the most potential statewide to maximize revenue to the Commonwealth. Factors such as in-state cannibalization and out-of-state competition were incorporated to estimate the highest-yield locations for future facilities.
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April 6, 2011, 11:31 am
Along a party line vote the House Gaming Oversight Committee approved this morning a bill sponsored by Rep. Paul Clymer (R-Bucks) that would require casinos to send monthly gambling statements to customers possessing rewards cards. Democrats against the measure contended it will effectively take money away gaming revenues and thus property tax relief, while doing little to curb problem gambling. Committee Chairman Curt Schroder (R-Chester) said the statements can be delivered in a cost effective manner and will help address compulsive gaming.
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March 30, 2011, 4:43 pm
PGCB Chairman Greg Fajt closed out the Senate Appropriations Committee’s budget hearings for the day today, offering commentary on the state of gaming in Pennsylvania. He emphasized the Board’s budget is entirely provided by the casino industry and updated members on both the Foxwoods license in Philadelphia and on the status of a decision on the remaining Category 3 license before the Board.
March 15, 2011, 4:24 pm
The House Appropriations Committee held its budget hearing with the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board this afternoon, touching on a variety of issues related the Commonwealth’s gaming industry. Chairman Greg Fajt updated members on property tax relief efforts and discussed the consequences of the Board’s December revocation of the Foxwoods Category 2 license in Philadelphia. He talked about the status of the Valley Forge resort, which is anticipated to be completed by December, and also reported he expects a decision on the open Category 3 license, whose applicants include the Mason-Dixon resort in Gettysburg, to be made in the next month or two.
PLS Subscribers check the Capitol Toolbox later for full coverage of the hearing.
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