Gaming revenues are proving to be a financial boom, to counties and local governments where they're located. But the casinos are not getting enough money to provide the promised tax relief to property owners statewide.
Gambling profits are required to be shared with local governments that host the casinos. A second pot is for property tax relief. It was projected to reduce those local levies by 25%, but that's not the case.
Gamblers at Hollywood Casino probably don't know, that part of the money they lose, goes to Dauphin County.
Specifically this year, commissioners awarded $8.5 million for more than 40 local projects for infrastructure and transportation improvements, emergency services operations, public health and safety projects.
But Commission Chair Jeff Haste says it's also about economic development. "They've been able to take those dollars that come from the gaming facility, leverage those to bring other dollars into the region. We're trying to use that as an economic development tool. It's an advantage we have that will go into our economy that we wouldn't have if it wasn't for the gaming dollars."
Gamers losses also help residents who own their home or primary residence. Last year $776 million was provided for property tax relief. But, former Governor Ed Rendell said the figure would be $1 billion a year, allowing for a 25% decrease in property taxes.
Commissioner George Hartwick III, says residents aren't seeing the money. "With local school taxes being raised at a rate probably equal to or exceeding the level of redistribution the reduction. I don't think the folks have seen the level of relief that they were anticipating in the original legislation."
The benefits, as promised in the legislation, are helping county governments and local organizations. But the relief homeowners have been expecting is wallowing.
Gambling profits are required to be shared with local governments that host the casinos. A second pot is for property tax relief. It was projected to reduce those local levies by 25%, but that's not the case.
Gamblers at Hollywood Casino probably don't know, that part of the money they lose, goes to Dauphin County.
Specifically this year, commissioners awarded $8.5 million for more than 40 local projects for infrastructure and transportation improvements, emergency services operations, public health and safety projects.
But Commission Chair Jeff Haste says it's also about economic development. "They've been able to take those dollars that come from the gaming facility, leverage those to bring other dollars into the region. We're trying to use that as an economic development tool. It's an advantage we have that will go into our economy that we wouldn't have if it wasn't for the gaming dollars."
Gamers losses also help residents who own their home or primary residence. Last year $776 million was provided for property tax relief. But, former Governor Ed Rendell said the figure would be $1 billion a year, allowing for a 25% decrease in property taxes.
Commissioner George Hartwick III, says residents aren't seeing the money. "With local school taxes being raised at a rate probably equal to or exceeding the level of redistribution the reduction. I don't think the folks have seen the level of relief that they were anticipating in the original legislation."
The benefits, as promised in the legislation, are helping county governments and local organizations. But the relief homeowners have been expecting is wallowing.