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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. Chelsa Wagner
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Wagner: table games would direct funds to libraries;
must be vigilant to ensure proper use of local funds
HARRISBURG, Dec. 15 – State Rep. Chelsa Wagner, D-Allegheny, said the state House approved legislation today that would permit the state's slot gaming facilities to offer table games like blackjack, poker and craps, a move that would create 16,000 jobs in Pennsylvania, as well as $320 million in vitally needed revenue over the next two years to fund, among other things, libraries in the City of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County.
Wagner worked to ensure that the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh will receive the City of Pittsburgh’s 1 percent local share, estimated to be $850,000 per year. This allocation requires a commitment from the CLP to keep all neighborhood branches open beyond 2010. With this additional funding, CLP will receive an estimated $22.4 million in public funding each year, only increasing the need for greater transparency from the CLP in its decision-making and more open, meaningful communication with the public.
"By funding these great institutions in our community, we are demanding accountability from them," Wagner said. "These funds will help to ensure that our libraries don’t close their doors on our citizens who rely on them."
The bill, as amended by the House, would allow Category 1 and Category 2 licensed slot facilities to operate up to 250 table games at any one time, while Category 3 licensees could operate up to 50. Category 1 licensees include racetracks with slot machines, Category 2 licensees are stand-alone casinos and Category 3 licenses go to resort destinations.
Table games licensees would be required to pay a total tax rate of 16 percent on all gross table game revenues, with 14 percent going to the state, 1 percent to the host county and 1 percent to the host municipality. State revenue from table games would go directly into the General Fund until the state's Rainy Day Fund balance surpasses $750 million. After that, all state table games revenue would be allocated for property tax relief, along with the revenue from slots.
A late addition to the bill was a provision opposed by Wagner that would transfer funds previously earmarked for construction of a Convention Center hotel in Downtown Pittsburgh to Allegheny County for unspecified purposes. Wagner said that she will work to ensure that this money is used exclusively for economic development, though she was unable to offer an amendment requiring this due to procedural rules.
"When we passed gaming, we made a promise to our communities that jobs and development would come with it, and the funds set aside for these purposes should not be used for anything else," Wagner said. "I am asking Allegheny County to make assurances that funding transferred from hotel construction be used only for economic development projects and be distributed with the utmost transparency."
The legislation has been sent to the Senate for consideration.
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CONTACT:
Jennifer E. Battista |