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FERLO SUPPORTS TABLE GAMES AND REFORM
AGREEMENT
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Ferlo |
HARRISBURG,
January 5
–
State Sen. Jim Ferlo (D-Pittsburgh) today
supported a House-Senate compromise that
will allow table games at Pennsylvania
casinos, improve oversight of the state’s
gaming industry, and provide critical
support for Pittsburgh-area libraries.
“This bill provides two critical components
of Pennsylvania’s economic stabilization:
jobs and tax revenue,” Ferlo said. “A
careful and well-scrutinized expansion of
the gaming industry will keep us competitive
with neighboring states while providing
badly needed support for struggling public
libraries.”
A House and Senate Conference Committee
today approved the compromise after months
of debate, leading to passage in the Senate
by a vote of 28-22.
Ferlo said the success of Pennsylvania
casinos, which have provided more than $1
billion in property tax relief to seniors
and revenue for critical public projects,
was threatened by approval of table games in
neighboring states.
“Before the approval of slot machines,
Pennsylvania gamblers were providing tax
revenue for surrounding states without any
local benefit,” Ferlo said. “By allowing
local casinos to remain competitive, we can
keep that money here while providing
thousands of good jobs.”
The Carnegie Library will receive $850,000
from the taxes generated by casinos, helping
to avert branch closures in one of America’s
most literate cities, including the
Lawrenceville Branch located in Senator
Ferlo’s district.
The compromise legislation also completes
efforts to improve oversight of
Pennsylvania’s casino industry, including
restoration of a ban on campaign
contributions from casino interests. A
prohibition against campaign contributions
was part of the original gaming legislation
passed five years ago, but it was struck
down by the Supreme Court as being too vague
in its intent.
“It was vital that we consider expansion of
gambling only with increased oversight and
tighter controls,” Ferlo said.
Back to PaSenate.com |
