Gambling in Pennsylvania

[Mitchell]

Those of us who live in Pennsylvania have no doubt heard of the issue now before the state legislature of having slot machines in racetracks around our state. To me, it is shocking that this has not happened sooner. According to the news, we have a serious budget shortfall in Pennsylvania, and having slot machines in our state would bring millions of dollars in revenue to the state each year, and aid in low income and senior perscription drug plans.
At present, there is a battle in the state house over this issue. My county, Lancaster, a Republican strong hold and bible belt area, seems to be one of the few holdouts in this state of passing gambling. The logic in such baffles me. Right now, they have racetrack and casino gambling in neighboring Delaware, and New Jersey, and, in the case of New Jersey, casino gambling has brought billions of dollars in revenue to the state, and helped fund not only low cost drugs for seniors and low income individuals, but also aided in improving quality of education in the state at both state universities, and primary schools.
The hypocracy in all this is that we DO of course have gambling here. Not only do we have horse tracks like Philly park and such, but Lancaster, the religious area that votes against slot machines, has an off track betting place that is associated with Penn National racetrack in Harrisburg. I say if you're going to allow gambling, go all the way, and place the slot machines in the state that could benefit so many. To me, if this does not pass, especially with the budget shortfall in PA, the state government is doing it's citizens a great disservice. After all, it isnt like the leaders of PA are saying, "People living in PA cant gamble" so why not bring the revenue to the state full force by having slot machines. I hope that slots in PA passes and is signed into law, as I've heard Governor Rendell is waiting to sign such a bill into law as soon as it hits his desk. The lawmakers would be doing their residents a great justice, and bringing millions of dollars in revenue to help people in the state, instead of allowing it to be gambled away in other states, to aid others who dont even live here.

Mitch

[Mitchell]

Here's an update on this issue if anyone cares. Last night the gambling bill passed in the state legislature, and was signed by Governor Ed Rendell. There will now be slot machines at race tracks, and off track betting places in Pennsylvania, and its about time!
The odd part about all this is that there will not be a significant reduction in property taxes due to the additional revenue. A major positive about the slots bill passing is that now the money gambled by PA residents in places like Atlantic City and the Delaware casinos and racetracks can remain in the state. This could well take a severe bite out of their business, as Atlantic City attracts many gamblers from Philadelphia, and the Delaware casinos also attract gamblers from both Philly and the western suburbs, including Lancaster County. It baffles me why it took them so long to pass this, especially in this state with major cities like Philly and Pittsburgh, and a population of over 11 Million. It is my hope that Lancaster County, which has an off track betting place, will make a smooth transition to allowing slots in the betting palor at the appropriate time. I do know that our local congressman voted against this bill. Hopefully, as time goes on, even the conservative representatives against gambling will realize that more revenue will be good for the state. I know that in New Jersey, putting gambling in Atlantic City allowed the needed revenue to flow in to promote a better quality of education at New Jersey state universities, and primary schools. Hopefully, similar positive change can occur in PA, and even despite the claim that gambling will not bring a major change in property tax, hopefully the additional revenue raised from gaming can aid in at least some important areas, such as education, or senior and low income health care and drug benefits.

Mitch