Casino legislation gets approval in Georgia
The Regulated Industries Committee approved casinos legislation that could lead to the creation of four casino resorts in the southern state.
US.- The Regulated Industries Committee passed both a constitutional amendment to ask voters to allow the casinos and a separate bill to dictate their location, operation and revenue expenditure.
Both bills could reach the House floor before Monday’s Crossover Day, which is the last day for a bill to move from one chamber to the other without parliamentary maneuvering.
House Resolution 807 would ask Georgia voters to amend the state constitution in order to legalise casinos. Under House Bill 677 there could only be four casinos in the state: Two in Metro Atlanta and two in other locations within the state.
Casino’s legalisation could create a fund for Georgia students if Rep. Ron Stephens, R – Savannah, has his way. According to Rep. Stephens, the majority of the tax revenue would be earmarked for the HOPE Scholarship, HOPE Grants and Pre-Kindergarten programs. “We promised them in 1992 that if you’ll vote for this, you’re [going to] get an education and me, as an elected official, I want to keep my word,” Stephens added.
