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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. Neal P. Goodman State
Rep. Tim Seip
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Goodman, Seip vote for table games, citing economic benefits
HARRISBURG, Jan. 6 – State Reps. Neal P. Goodman, D-Schuylkill, and Tim Seip, D-Schuylkill/Berks, today voted for a bill that will generate an estimated $320 million over the next two years by legalizing table games such as blackjack and poker at Pennsylvania's slots casinos.
The bill was the final piece of the 2009-10 state budget, and Gov. Edward Rendell has said he will sign it.
"Adding table games has the potential to create more than 16,000 new jobs and provide $1 billion in economic output annually," Goodman said. "Industry experts say casinos hire 700 people for every 65 table games in play. It will provide a quick boost for our economy without the state expending any money."
Goodman also said the legislation allows the state to keep funding school districts, counties and municipalities, which should help avoid or reduce property tax increases.
Seip said, "Jobs will be created in the form of building projects, primary jobs at the casino venues themselves that pay $40,000 per year and enhancing tourism. At the same time, by passing this law, we are replenishing the Rainy Day Fund and balancing the budget to save 1,000 families with a state worker from losing their health care and wages through state layoffs that would have been necessary without the revenue from table games."
After the state Rainy Day Fund reaches $750 million, state revenue from table games will go to property tax relief.
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