Opinion: Time to stop stalling and approve slots in Pa.
By MILLARD BEATTY , Times Guest Columnist 04/21/2004
Could someone please tell me why Pennsylvania legislation has not yet approved slot machines? While the bordering states of Delaware, West Virginia and New York already have slots at their horse race tracks and Maryland is actively working on passing legislation for slots that could be placed at horse racing tracks, Pennsylvania is dragging its "hoofs" on this issue.
When it comes to gambling there are always issues, which are "pro" and "con." One of the negative concerns is that people with limited income end up losing what little money they have to slot machines and find themselves in a dire situation. But think about it, we have the Pa. Lottery and no concerns of this nature have been mentioned. You can just as easily lose your last cent trying to win the Pa. Lottery as you can playing the slots. I see this concern as just another excuse to say "No" to slots.
Now, let’s look at some of the positive aspects of slots being approved. If slots were approved and placed in horse racing tracks in Pennsylvania, tracks like the proposed Chester Downs in Chester would draw an even bigger crowd.
When the proposal for the construction of Chester Downs was submitted back in October 2001, it included slots in its operation. Construction was to be completed and the first live racing meet was expected to be in May 2003. Here it is April 2004, and this construction is still on hold awaiting the approval of slots by Pennsylvania legislators.
If slots were approved in Pennsylvania, Chester Downs would draw new business not only to the Chester community, but neighboring communities of Eddystone, Woodlyn, Brookhaven and Chichester. These communities would also see increased business and the possibility of new business as well. The properties in the area of the Chester Shipyard would become prime property for new businesses and property values would go up.
Let’s take a minute here and look at the financial impact slots had at the Saratoga Raceway Harness Track in New York and the New York schools. In late January of this year, slot machines were introduced at the track. Over 10,000 people turned out the first day the slots were in operation. Within a month’s time, Saratoga raceway officials reported that $1.3 million would be given to the New York State School Board for educational purposes. Now, that is something not only to look at but applaud.
In a recent interview, Samuel Beegle, director of the Pennsylvania Harness Horsemen’s Association in District 7 and former president of the association, said, "If slots were approved in Pennsylvania and Chester Downs opens, it would be a first-class track." Sam, who trains and drives in Pennsylvania, Maryland and Delaware, believes that "horseman from up and down the eastern coast would come to race for some of the top dollars in the industry. Pennsylvania would greatly benefit by the breeding industry and the horsemen would get a bigger break and race for larger purses."
Sam drives one of the top trotters on the East Coast, Frisky Fella, and trains the likes of Gingertree Matthew, Corporate Rrraider, Ms. Eyes And Thighs, My Miss C’s Hero, Sign De Vie and Innocent Bystander, just to name a few. Sam envisions Chester Downs as "becoming one of the top tracks in North America."
The bottom line here is, say "YES" for slots in Pennsylvania. This will benefit all Pennsylvanians and everyone will win! Come on, politicians, help the taxpayers in Pennsylvania have a little more in their pocket at the end of their day. Allow them the opportunity to say, "Our Governor really does care about us!" Let’s get to work and get slots approved in Pennsylvania.
Millard Beatty is a member of the United States Harness Writers Association - Delaware Valley Chapter.
©The Daily Times 2004
By MILLARD BEATTY , Times Guest Columnist 04/21/2004
Could someone please tell me why Pennsylvania legislation has not yet approved slot machines? While the bordering states of Delaware, West Virginia and New York already have slots at their horse race tracks and Maryland is actively working on passing legislation for slots that could be placed at horse racing tracks, Pennsylvania is dragging its "hoofs" on this issue.
When it comes to gambling there are always issues, which are "pro" and "con." One of the negative concerns is that people with limited income end up losing what little money they have to slot machines and find themselves in a dire situation. But think about it, we have the Pa. Lottery and no concerns of this nature have been mentioned. You can just as easily lose your last cent trying to win the Pa. Lottery as you can playing the slots. I see this concern as just another excuse to say "No" to slots.
Now, let’s look at some of the positive aspects of slots being approved. If slots were approved and placed in horse racing tracks in Pennsylvania, tracks like the proposed Chester Downs in Chester would draw an even bigger crowd.
When the proposal for the construction of Chester Downs was submitted back in October 2001, it included slots in its operation. Construction was to be completed and the first live racing meet was expected to be in May 2003. Here it is April 2004, and this construction is still on hold awaiting the approval of slots by Pennsylvania legislators.
If slots were approved in Pennsylvania, Chester Downs would draw new business not only to the Chester community, but neighboring communities of Eddystone, Woodlyn, Brookhaven and Chichester. These communities would also see increased business and the possibility of new business as well. The properties in the area of the Chester Shipyard would become prime property for new businesses and property values would go up.
Let’s take a minute here and look at the financial impact slots had at the Saratoga Raceway Harness Track in New York and the New York schools. In late January of this year, slot machines were introduced at the track. Over 10,000 people turned out the first day the slots were in operation. Within a month’s time, Saratoga raceway officials reported that $1.3 million would be given to the New York State School Board for educational purposes. Now, that is something not only to look at but applaud.
In a recent interview, Samuel Beegle, director of the Pennsylvania Harness Horsemen’s Association in District 7 and former president of the association, said, "If slots were approved in Pennsylvania and Chester Downs opens, it would be a first-class track." Sam, who trains and drives in Pennsylvania, Maryland and Delaware, believes that "horseman from up and down the eastern coast would come to race for some of the top dollars in the industry. Pennsylvania would greatly benefit by the breeding industry and the horsemen would get a bigger break and race for larger purses."
Sam drives one of the top trotters on the East Coast, Frisky Fella, and trains the likes of Gingertree Matthew, Corporate Rrraider, Ms. Eyes And Thighs, My Miss C’s Hero, Sign De Vie and Innocent Bystander, just to name a few. Sam envisions Chester Downs as "becoming one of the top tracks in North America."
The bottom line here is, say "YES" for slots in Pennsylvania. This will benefit all Pennsylvanians and everyone will win! Come on, politicians, help the taxpayers in Pennsylvania have a little more in their pocket at the end of their day. Allow them the opportunity to say, "Our Governor really does care about us!" Let’s get to work and get slots approved in Pennsylvania.
Millard Beatty is a member of the United States Harness Writers Association - Delaware Valley Chapter.
©The Daily Times 2004
And it didn't even take tear gas to clear them out. The Iowa Legislature adjourned this week without a last-minute riot and without a pledge to come back into session this summer. For that alone, they deserve a pat on the back.
Not that there wasn't disappointment. Gov. Tom Vilsack says he thinks lawmakers ducked several big issues. Senate Majority Leader Stew Iverson even called the session a good effort at "nuts and bolts." Vilsack says gambling expansion was the single big issue tackled by the session. But permanent funding for the Iowa Values Fund, more money for public schools, and environmental protections all failed.
A few plusses:
Senate Republicans did agree to go with a House GOP plan to bump up state aid to local schools by 4 percent, meeting Vilsack's qualified approval. They also agreed to put $72 million into the Community Attraction and Tourism program.
Democrats complained that education is still short, that teachers will be fewer and classes will be larger. How Iowa funds education is still the main problem. It's what drives taxes higher. It's also what drives its economic development strategy.
But compromise on these issues is a step. Congratulations.
More money for the Vision Iowa and CAT programs also is positive. These programs have worked as intended, to make Iowa a more attractive place to live. The emphasis now on the CAT fund, aimed at smaller projects in smaller communities, is right on target. It's their turn, now.
For our money, the disappointments are somewhat different.
The gambling debate did solve some major problems between the racetracks and casinos. And it did open the door for a half dozen cities hoping to boost their economies with new facilities. But it's still a lousy way to fund government. And we're still skeptical of the kind of economic growth it engenders. Seems like we've got other strategies going that will result in a stronger, healthier Iowa.
And on that count, the failure to find permanent funding for the Iowa Values Fund tops the list. President Bush, speaking last week in Des Moines, told a conference on rural development that the job of government is to provide a climate in which business can grow. That's the mandate from the biggest Republican in the nation. How come Iowa lawmakers can't find it within them to spend the money that will make them money in their own economic stimulus program that headlined the last session?
And one more disappointment: Despite all the last-minute compromise covering several hundred million dollars, lawmakers failed to find a mere $5 million to continue water quality improvement initiatives. Iowa's streams and rivers are not just drainage ditches for tiled fields, parking lot runoff or sewage treatment plant effluent. Ames harbors a prime example of how water bodies might be treated in a way that improves the resource, boosts recreation, provides a focal point for residential development and makes us proud of where we live.
State lawmakers should take notice.
http://www.amestrib.com
Not that there wasn't disappointment. Gov. Tom Vilsack says he thinks lawmakers ducked several big issues. Senate Majority Leader Stew Iverson even called the session a good effort at "nuts and bolts." Vilsack says gambling expansion was the single big issue tackled by the session. But permanent funding for the Iowa Values Fund, more money for public schools, and environmental protections all failed.
A few plusses:
Senate Republicans did agree to go with a House GOP plan to bump up state aid to local schools by 4 percent, meeting Vilsack's qualified approval. They also agreed to put $72 million into the Community Attraction and Tourism program.
Democrats complained that education is still short, that teachers will be fewer and classes will be larger. How Iowa funds education is still the main problem. It's what drives taxes higher. It's also what drives its economic development strategy.
But compromise on these issues is a step. Congratulations.
More money for the Vision Iowa and CAT programs also is positive. These programs have worked as intended, to make Iowa a more attractive place to live. The emphasis now on the CAT fund, aimed at smaller projects in smaller communities, is right on target. It's their turn, now.
For our money, the disappointments are somewhat different.
The gambling debate did solve some major problems between the racetracks and casinos. And it did open the door for a half dozen cities hoping to boost their economies with new facilities. But it's still a lousy way to fund government. And we're still skeptical of the kind of economic growth it engenders. Seems like we've got other strategies going that will result in a stronger, healthier Iowa.
And on that count, the failure to find permanent funding for the Iowa Values Fund tops the list. President Bush, speaking last week in Des Moines, told a conference on rural development that the job of government is to provide a climate in which business can grow. That's the mandate from the biggest Republican in the nation. How come Iowa lawmakers can't find it within them to spend the money that will make them money in their own economic stimulus program that headlined the last session?
And one more disappointment: Despite all the last-minute compromise covering several hundred million dollars, lawmakers failed to find a mere $5 million to continue water quality improvement initiatives. Iowa's streams and rivers are not just drainage ditches for tiled fields, parking lot runoff or sewage treatment plant effluent. Ames harbors a prime example of how water bodies might be treated in a way that improves the resource, boosts recreation, provides a focal point for residential development and makes us proud of where we live.
State lawmakers should take notice.
http://www.amestrib.com
After months of political horse-trading and high stakes haggling, the Iowa Senate approved major gambling legislation Monday and sent the bill to Gov. Tom Vilsack's desk.
Senators punctuated the legislative gambling saga with a 37-11 vote after just 45 minutes of debate. Passage cleared one of the last remaining barriers between lawmakers and final adjournment, which is expected sometime today.
Vilsack said he would sign the bill.
"I've indicated before that that's something we can do," Vilsack said.
The bill rewrites Iowa's gambling tax structure in the wake of a long legal battle between state officials and racetrack casinos. The legislation also leaves the door open to the possibility of new gaming licenses after voters in six counties gave a green light to riverboat casinos.
Local leaders in Black Hawk, Worth, Franklin, Palo Alto, Wapello and Webster counties see new riverboat casinos as economic engines capable of creating jobs and related development. Lawmakers declined to block those hopes, leaving the final say on new licenses with the Racing and Gaming Commission.
"That's their job. That's what they're hired to do," said Sen. Mark Zieman, R-Postville, who guided the bill to passage in the Senate. "We've got six counties who passed it and I know they're not all going to get a license."
But lawmakers from towns with riverboat ambitions, who fought off efforts to kill expansion, praised the bill.
"I think we've got a very good bill. I'm very happy with it," said Sen. Bill Dotzler, D-Waterloo, who backs expansion. "I'm very happy with it."
For the existing gambling industry, the bill contains trade-offs.
Racetrack operators agreed to pay a higher tax rate and make one-time payments intended to help the state get past budget difficulties. Track interests also agreed to forgive $117 million overpaid taxes while allowing the state to pursue a final legal appeal.
Riverboat casino operators also agreed to pay a higher tax rate and make similar one-time payments.
But racetrack operators, for a fee, could be given state permission to offer table games --- such as blackjack, craps or poker --- alongside existing slot machines.
And riverboats no longer would be required to take costly, periodic cruises. Removal of that cruising requirement would also pave the way for casinos to be placed on powerless barges.
The measure moves cash and credit-dispensing ATMs out of casino wagering areas. And the bill pumps more money into treatment programs for addicted gamblers, with roughly $5 million for treatment in the next fiscal year.
But gambling opponents saw the legislation as one more misguided step in the march to expand Iowa's gambling industry, despite what they contend are its devastating social effects.
"I think we need to pause a moment to consider the impact of our actions," said Sen. Jack Holveck, D-Des Moines. "Eventually, we'll have gambling in every tavern. Eventually (gambling) will sink of its own weight."
Among the 11 senators who voted against the measure were Sens. Bob Brunkhorst, R-Waverly, Richard Drake, R-Muscatine, David Johnson, R-Ocheyedan, Steve Kettering, R-Lake View, Kitty Rehberg, R-Rowley and Ken Veenstra, R-Orange City.
http://www.wcfcourier.com
Senators punctuated the legislative gambling saga with a 37-11 vote after just 45 minutes of debate. Passage cleared one of the last remaining barriers between lawmakers and final adjournment, which is expected sometime today.
Vilsack said he would sign the bill.
"I've indicated before that that's something we can do," Vilsack said.
The bill rewrites Iowa's gambling tax structure in the wake of a long legal battle between state officials and racetrack casinos. The legislation also leaves the door open to the possibility of new gaming licenses after voters in six counties gave a green light to riverboat casinos.
Local leaders in Black Hawk, Worth, Franklin, Palo Alto, Wapello and Webster counties see new riverboat casinos as economic engines capable of creating jobs and related development. Lawmakers declined to block those hopes, leaving the final say on new licenses with the Racing and Gaming Commission.
"That's their job. That's what they're hired to do," said Sen. Mark Zieman, R-Postville, who guided the bill to passage in the Senate. "We've got six counties who passed it and I know they're not all going to get a license."
But lawmakers from towns with riverboat ambitions, who fought off efforts to kill expansion, praised the bill.
"I think we've got a very good bill. I'm very happy with it," said Sen. Bill Dotzler, D-Waterloo, who backs expansion. "I'm very happy with it."
For the existing gambling industry, the bill contains trade-offs.
Racetrack operators agreed to pay a higher tax rate and make one-time payments intended to help the state get past budget difficulties. Track interests also agreed to forgive $117 million overpaid taxes while allowing the state to pursue a final legal appeal.
Riverboat casino operators also agreed to pay a higher tax rate and make similar one-time payments.
But racetrack operators, for a fee, could be given state permission to offer table games --- such as blackjack, craps or poker --- alongside existing slot machines.
And riverboats no longer would be required to take costly, periodic cruises. Removal of that cruising requirement would also pave the way for casinos to be placed on powerless barges.
The measure moves cash and credit-dispensing ATMs out of casino wagering areas. And the bill pumps more money into treatment programs for addicted gamblers, with roughly $5 million for treatment in the next fiscal year.
But gambling opponents saw the legislation as one more misguided step in the march to expand Iowa's gambling industry, despite what they contend are its devastating social effects.
"I think we need to pause a moment to consider the impact of our actions," said Sen. Jack Holveck, D-Des Moines. "Eventually, we'll have gambling in every tavern. Eventually (gambling) will sink of its own weight."
Among the 11 senators who voted against the measure were Sens. Bob Brunkhorst, R-Waverly, Richard Drake, R-Muscatine, David Johnson, R-Ocheyedan, Steve Kettering, R-Lake View, Kitty Rehberg, R-Rowley and Ken Veenstra, R-Orange City.
http://www.wcfcourier.com
