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.
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Posted by Matt | Tags: Budget, gaming, table games | Category: Budget Hearing, House Appropriations | Comments are closed | Share:
This morning the Senate Community, Economic and Recreational Development Committee approved an amended version of SB 831 that would put the casino license currently held by Foxwoods up for statewide bid (excluding Allegheny County) if it is revoked by the Gaming Control Board. Despite concerns raised by Senator Jim Ferlo (D-Allegheny) that the action is premature, the amended bill passed by a vote of 12-2. Chair Jane Earll (R-Erie) said moving the bill along may serve to catalyze action on the issue. At the same meeting the committee also received budget updates from the Gaming Control Board, the Department of Revenue and the State Police, with respect to their gaming oversight responsibilities. Check the Committee News section of the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story. Posted by Mike | Tags: Department of Revenue, Foxwoods, gaming, gaming control board, oversight, state police, table games | Category: Committee Voting Meeting, Public/Informational Committee Hearing, Senate Community, Economic & Rec. Development | Comments are closed | Share:
This morning the Senate Appropriations Committee met with the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board to discuss its 2010-11 budget request. Chairman Greg Fajt told committee members the board is requesting an overall budget of $37.018 million; a 9.7.% increase over last year. Much of the increase, he said, is due to the additional staff needed to monitor newly legislated table games, and an additional three casinos expected to come online in the upcoming year. Check back later on the Capitol Toolbox for the full story. Posted by Mike | Tags: Budget, casinos, gaming, table games | Category: Budget Hearing, Senate Appropriations | Comments are closed | Share:
Though the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board is not funded through the state’s General Fund, PGCB Chairman Greg Fajt appeared before the House Appropriations Committee today to request authorization to spend $37.39 million in FY 2010, in addition to $2 million set aside for local law enforcement grants. The total represents an overall increase of $3.6 million, or 10.8% over last year. Chairman Fajt said the increase is necessary due to the expected opening of three more casinos in 2010, in addition to the extra staff that will be needed to implement and monitor table games. Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story. Posted by Mike | Tags: Budget, casinos, gaming, PGCB, table games | Category: Budget Hearing, House Appropriations | Comments are closed | Share:
Instead of the usual public signing ceremony before the media this morning, Governor Rendell signed table games legislation SB 711 into law in private, due to a number of “misgivings” he has with the bill. At a press conference afterwards, the governor cited worries over the amount of WAMs and pork in the legislation, which were inserted to secure the necessary votes among members. Nevertheless he reported that with the bill now signed, tables games will be up and running in as many casinos as possible by July, with license fees going a long way to meeting the additional $250 million in revenue needed by the state this fiscal year. He characterized votes in support of table games as “courageous,” and challenged those who voted against it to explain where they would make cuts to bridge the same revenue gap. The governor also spoke on a variety of other issues, including the same-sex marriage, the 2010-11 budget, and the state of the Democratic Party. Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story. Posted by Mike | Tags: Budget, resentencing guidelines, same-sex marriage, table games, world trade | Category: Administration, Face to Face, Press Conference | Comments are closed | Share:
Speaking at a press conference this morning, Governor Rendell announced that due to cost savings efforts, cash grant payments for eligible families in the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) will be increased by $100, and the program itself will be extended through April 2nd this year. In addition, the administration reported that if federal contingency funds are released, as has been the case in previous years, even more money could become available for certain LIHEAP participants, including seniors and those with children or disabilities. The governor also commented on recent table games developments, and said that at this point he is “guardedly optimistic” about having a table games bill on his desk as early as tomorrow. Check the Capitol Toolbox for the full story. Posted by Mike | Tags: hunting, LIHEAP, resentencing guidelines, table games | Category: Administration, Face to Face, Press Conference | Comments are closed | Share:
At a press conference this afternoon, Governor Rendell announced a new $1.2 billion mortgage program intended to help spur home purchases in 39 counties statewide. The initiative, a partnership between PHFA, the US Treasury, FannieMae and FreddieMac will offer 11,000 long-term (30-year), fixed rate, low-interest mortgage loans, expand the Keystone First program with an additional $10 million in funding, and provide $50 million for approximately 450 new-home construction loans. More details on the program are available on PHFA’s website. Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story, including the governor’s latest comments on table games, possible layoffs, and Bonusgate. Posted by Mike | Tags: Ben Franklin Institutes, bonusgate, layoffs, mortgages, PHFA, resentencing guidelines, table games, undocumented workers | Category: Administration, Face to Face, Press Conference | Comments are closed | Share:
Governor Rendell advised this afternoon that if table games legislation is not signed into law by January 8th, he will be forced to order the layoff of upwards of 1,000 state workers to help make up the resulting $250 million revenue shortfall. The table games bill, SB 711, which was referred to the House Rules Committee today and will not be taken up again till January 5th, has stalled in large part due to disagreements over Category 3 resort licenses. The governor said that despite a lack of table games at this point, he will sign a package of non-preferred legislation he had previously said he would withhold. He said he will do so to comply with a maintenance of effort requirement on the part of the four state-related universities. All other non-preferreds will receive a line-item vetoed 50 percent cut in funding, with the exception of the UPenn Veterinary School which will only receive a 12.8 percent cut. Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story. Posted by Mike | Tags: Budget, Environmental Hearing Board, Game Code, gaming, Higher Education, resentencing guidelines, state-related universities, table games, wiretap | Category: Administration, Face to Face, Press Conference | Comments are closed | Share:
The Senate approved table games legislation on a close 27-22 vote Wednesday night, but changes the chamber made to the bill earlier in the day are already ruffling the feathers of leaders in the House, where the measure faces an uncertain future. After receiving the bill Tuesday night following House approval, the Senate made several changes to it during a Rules Committee meeting Wednesday afternoon. The alterations include reducing the number of Category 3 licenses from three to two, and reopening the application process for the remaining unassigned resort casino license. The Senate also changed some of the language that directs table games tax revenue to local recipients. Posted by Kim | Tags: resentencing guidelines, table games | Category: LBFC, News and Views | Comments are closed | Share:
The committee reported as amended SB 711 providing for table games and gaming reform with six negative votes (Alloway, Corman, McIlhinney, Piccola, Robbins and Yaw). An omnibus amendment from Senator Pileggi was adopted with the same six senators voting “No”. An amendment to the Pileggi amendment offered by Senator Mellow to add a third Class 3 license was defeated by a voice vote. An amendment by Senator Alloway prohibiting a license being issued at a location within 12 linear miles of a national military park was also defeated by a voice vote. Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the complete story. Posted by Jeff | Tags: Environmental Hearing Board, EQB, gaming, resentencing guidelines, table games | Category: Committee Voting Meeting, Senate Banking & Insurance, Senate Rules | Comments are closed | Share:
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