Philadelphia to restructure the industry

Philadelphia legislators are discussing changes in the current tax system to fund public projects.

US.- Casino tax payments would be destined to public projects in the big city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Regional officials are discussing several changes on current gaming legislation to include further options as to the investment of collected taxes from the city’s casino industry. The amendment would destine US$2 million to economic programs.

“This isn’t legislators going around and handing out checks,” Sen. Larry Farnese (D., Philadelphia) explained to philly.com. “Any group that is engaged in community or economic development, or involved in any project that is in the public interest, is going to have access to those dollars.”

Currently, casino taxes are destined to Philadelphia’s general fund or to schools developments. The new measure, introduced by Larry Farnese and a group of city’s senators, would allow other entities to ask for the approximately US$2 million in order to carry out their local projects in regards to city revitalisation.

“The administration is obviously aware of this legislation,” commented to philly.com the city spokesman Mike Dunn. “We are monitoring its progress as it moves through both chambers, and we continue to be interested in working with members on both sides of the aisle toward a resolution that will be positive for the city and school district.”