Support Your Local What?

Posted By Cliff Tuttle | October 9, 2009

Posted by Cliff Tuttle (c) 2009

SUMMARY: We may have to take their money, but casinos shouldn’t ask us to give them our hearts.

I heard a radio commercial yesterday warning the public not to encourage the legislature to try to solve the Pennsylvania budget crisis by raising the tax on table games to a level that will make them unprofitable for casinos. Although we don’t have table games at Pennsylvania casinos yet, it seems inevitable that the authorization will come as part of a package of legislation that will finally enact a budget. The licensing fees, paid up front by casinos this year, will close the gap in 2009, with additional tax revenues coming from the casinos’ increased take in later years. Of course, we all know that casino patrons will pay a lot more than just the tax. But paying more tax directly is politically unacceptable. Inducing some of us to voluntarily pay the tax, plus a whole lot more — while not wildly popular — seems to be politically acceptable. And so, that is how things get done.

Pennsylvania casinos will soon have the full monty. Maybe it couldn’t have been avoided. We seem to have painted ourselves into a corner. But don’t ask us to love it.

That’s just what the commercial said, however. As closely as I can remember, the script ended with the immortal words:

“Support Your Local Casino.”

Give us a break!

CLT

Welcome

CLIFF TUTTLE has been a Pennsylvania lawyer for over 45 years and (inter alia) is a real estate litigator and legal writer. The posts in this blog are intended to provide general information about legal topics of interest to lawyers and consumers with a Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania focus. However, this information does not constitute legal advice and there is no lawyer-client relationship created when you read this blog. You are encouraged to leave comments but be aware that posted comments can be read by others. If you wish to contact me in privacy, please use the Contact Form located immediately below this message. I will reply promptly and in strict confidence.

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