By Robert Swift, Harrisburg Bureau Chief / Published: October 9, 2016
HARRISBURG — The state Supreme Court ruling that the way casinos are taxed for local impact assessments is unconstitutional has lawmakers vowing to find a fix as quickly as possible to avoid an interruption in the flow of local aid.
Some optimistic lawmakers hope they can pass legislation restoring a local assessment that meets constitutional muster as early as the end of this month. The Legislature is in session for six days in the final two weeks of October.
Sen. John Blake, D-22, Archbald, has urged his colleagues to “stick to the basics” and not use the occasion to expand gambling or increase the state budget’s reliance on gambling revenue.
Sen. Mario Scavello, R-40, Mount Pocono, said the top priority is restoring the aid.
The Senate is already working on a remedy, said Drew Crompton, top aide to Senate President Pro Tempore Joseph Scarnati, R-25, Jefferson County.
“We are hopeful we can correct the issue before the end of the session,” he added.
The court gave lawmakers 120 days or until late January to come up with a “fix” or face the prospect of judicial intervention to accomplish it. The 120-day timetable comes with one legislative session winding down and a new one starting in January.
Read more at http://thetimes-tribune.com/news/lawmakers-hoping-to-fix-gambling-tax-1.2101598.
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