Staff Blog
Breaking: Amendment to table games bill gives Farnese and O’Brien control over new moolah
Yesterday, on the PA House Floor, Representative Mike O'Brien, whose district includes Fishtown (where the SugarHouse casino is expected to open), introduced an amendment to Senate Bill 711 — the gambling "reform" bill that also seeks to introduce table games like Blackjack and Poker — that would require Pennsylvania casinos to pay an additional 1 percent tax on gross table gaming revenues. The revenue would go straight to the county hosting that casino.
The amendment passed.
Whoopee, right? Everybody wins! Except the casinos, but they've won so much already they shouldn't mind.
But wait — there's more.
In all counties but one, that extra revenue will go to the county itself. This will not, however, take place in counties "of the first class." That designation, of course, applies to only one county: Philadelphia. Rather than Philly getting the cash directly, the money will be distributed to non-profit organizations "for the benefit of the immediate vicinity" of the casinos.
Who gets to pick which nonprofits get the money?
Interestingly, that will fall to a special seven-member advisory board, of which a majority of members will be picked by Rep. O'Brien, the sponsor of the bill, and State Senator Larry Farnese, whose district includes both casinos. City Council, the mayor's office, and the casino will each get to pick one representative, too.
With a combined majority of representatives on this board, incumbents O'Brien and Farnese will, presumably, have considerable influence over how and where the money is allocated — not bad come election time. Who, among incumbents, doesn't want a new pot of money to play with? Not that there's necessarily anything untoward in any of this.
Still, something about this jogs my memory. Wasn't there another state senator who liked dolling out money to a favored local non-profit? Then it turned out that he was getting free power tools and stuff? Then both he and the non-profit became the subject of investigations?
What was his name? Rhymed with "You know?"
Anyway, that's old news, right?
“Not that there’s necessarily anything untoward in any of this…”
This is sarcasm, right? A bill’s own sponsor exempts his own city from receiving revenue directly to give himself greater control of the funds. God, this shit never ends.
[...] is whining after you’ve lost. But! The PA House is making googoo eyes at table gaming! And in this post on The Clog, Isaiah Thompson details the ways in which, even when the casino thing in Philly may start make [...]
You must be kidding?
Here is a State Representative & a Senator that were totally against the Casino to begin with. Mr. O’Brien fought until his last breath, then they add this to another bill being presented.
Wake up Philly, our elected officials are NOT looking out for us.
Our History in the past 20yrs has shown they are looking in mirror, and looking out for themselves.
I think Fishtown better wake up to the Folgers, and protest this issue. This is as blantant as it gets to a conflict of interest.
I have only read this article and already I am shaking my head, since all of us PRO City/PRO jobs and PRO Sugarhouse, has fought for this project to move forward, then this? The very element that is against it all comes in and is permitted to decide what money goes where,??? is it me? is there something I’m not getting. Please someone tell me what I am missing here??????
We must have a say in our City, it doesn’t look like we do.
People, get your head out of the sand, Mr. O’Brien & Mr. Farnese are not looking out for FISHTOWN.
They have proven that on several occasions, and in our presence at our own meetings we have SEEN and heard where they are coming from. And I can tell you first hand, it is NOT the benefit of Fishtown.
We must unite and discuss……
Another back door issue slid in issue if I ever seen one.
Why wasn’t this PART of the Addmendment shared publicly as was the orignal portion?????????
1 guess………
The communities immediately affected by the SugarHouse Casino has spent months working with the Casino to create a Community Service District that would oversee the Community Development money, with a Board made up of COMMUNITY MEMBERS. Now the POLITICIANS are once again trying to control the money, which will mean the Communities affetced won’t see the money, just the groups that support these politicians… this is a back door grab for “Special Interest” monies to be dispensed by the POLITICIANS.
These two politicians fought long and hard to stop the creation of jobs, funding for the community, internships, and economic development that was garnered in the CBA. And now they are putting their hands out to grab the money to be dispersed to their special interest groups (aka political supporters). These two proclaimed to every media outlet that would give them an inch of print that they wanted NOTHING to do with SugarHouse other then to fight it….and now they want to grab the money…totally disgusting, hypocritical, and frightening. We know how this works
Not surprised these two want their hands on the funds that will be used for the communities hosting the casino. Hmmm, which one of there friends will benefit??
Let me get this right. I am quite confussed. State Rep Mike O’Brien & Senator Larry Farnese NEVER WANTED THE CASINOS BUILT. They would not even listen to the Pro Casino neighbors of Fishtown and surrounding neighborhoods. BUT, NOW they want their hands to control the Community Develope Money. Sounds real fishy to me. Hmmmmmmmmm. Who are they making deals with? You know that Fishtown will not see any money, jobs, etc if we stand by and let this happen.
This is crazy! If this means that the Reps would control the SSD money and that it would be used for organizations and such outside of the current SSD parameters, this is totally unacceptable.
I have stayed out of the frontline battle either pro or con for the Casinos since, personally, I think the debates about having these casinos in the City should have been done before any sites were chosen, licensing was awarded and money spent. There should have been a ballot question so the citizens of this City could have had their say beforehand instead of going at each other’s throats after Pandora’s box was opened. The process was flawed from the beginning!
Having said that and watching the work that those in the Fishtown Community have done to work out an agreement and process with SugarHouse, I think it’s in poor taste and reeks to have politicians, whoever they may be, take conrol of any money…too much room for political interests.
Let it be a Community Board!!
[...] CityPaper: …[A]n amendment to Senate Bill 711 — the gambling “reform” bill that also seeks to introduce table games like Blackjack and Poker — that would require Pennsylvania casinos to pay an additional 1 percent tax on gross table gaming revenues. The revenue would go straight to the county hosting that casino. [...]
The excellent review, all as always.