May. 22, 2017
HARRISBURG – Legislative language drafted by Rep. James R. Santora (R-Delaware) to fairly compensate local counties for the increased demand casino patrons place on services through an annual fee and percentage of slot machine revenue passed the House Gaming Oversight Committee with strong bipartisan support today.
“As casinos draw people from out of the area – even states away – the county has a greater need for fire and police services, as well as road maintenance,” Santora said. “The money collected would work to negate those increased costs and would also fund community improvement grants.”
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court made a decision late last year regarding the constitutionality of local share assessments on slot machine revenue. Without Santora’s bill, the Department of Revenue would stop collecting the local share assessment from casinos on Friday, May 26.
House Bill 1342 would require that every Category 1 and 2 casino to pay an annual fee of $10 million to the host municipality and a 2 percent local share assessment to the host county.
Local share assessment amounts provided to host municipalities would be subject to a 50 percent cap on the municipality’s budget. Amounts in excess of the host municipality’s budgetary cap would be provided to the host county.
The bill now advances to the full House for consideration.
Representative James R. Santora
163rd Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Alison Evans
717.260.6206
aevans@pahousegop.com
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