The Observation Deck

Be careful what you read. If you are swayed be the "promise" of 30% of the gross receipts being kicked out to the counties, you better read the proposed amendment again. The devil is in the details, especially the ones NOT defined by the amendment.

The 30% is preceded by "up to". Do you think we'd ever see our share of 30%? The 30% is followed by "on its gross receipts for gaming less payouts". So no, the counties won't share 30% of the casino receipts, it would be a much smaller amount. But wait, there are even more deductions. Then you must deduct the expenses of regulating and taxing the venture and then deduct funds used for gambling prevention and treatment programs.

I didn't see who determines the actual tax rate, or who determines the cost to run the taxing and prevention programs. Is it our legislature, some gaming commission or new entity? Maybe the state can create a new bureau (job creation) to determine and administer all this. Somehow I imagine the tax pool evaporating before our eyes.

As far as I know, we are surrounded by gaming in NY, PA, WV, KY, IN and MI. We're a bit late to the table.

I'd rather see us vote for a broader based proposal than this narrowly targeted, ill-defined constitutional amendment.

Thank you everyone for the 4-1-1

Yeah I'm surprised that this thread already has four pages to it. And it's been pretty informing.

Good thing I asked, and good thing everyone chimed in.

Thanks!

Dave Mechenbier wrote: I'd rather see us vote for a broader based proposal than this narrowly targeted, ill-defined constitutional amendment.

That's it in a nutshell. I'm for allowing gambling in general, but this isn't the right proposal to use in amending our constitution.