 Newsletter Signup
Stay informed with the
NEW Casino City Times newsletter! |
Gaming News
Governor To Decide on Cash Crunch Agenda28 July 2000PHILADELPHIA, MISSISSIPPI – July 28, 2000 – As reported by the Sun Herald: "Gov. Ronnie Musgrove said Thursday he still hasn't decided whether to call for emergency legislative action to prevent a shutdown in new highway construction. "…Minutes earlier, in a speech immediately preceding the governor's, state Transportation Commission Chairman Dick Hall told fairgoers that road construction could halt for up to a year unless Musgrove adds the issue to his special session. "…At the same time, a $1.25 billion program to build roads in counties with casinos faces its own problems. MDOT could have trouble borrowing money for the projects over 20 years because its revenue source - $36 million a year from gambling taxes - expires in 12 years. "…Hall and other transportation leaders want lawmakers to solve the problems by extending or eliminating the 2012 repealer on the casino-road funds. And they want lawmakers to let them borrow $200 million to match federal funds for any road projects. "…Musgrove, though, would say only that his economic development plan would be comprehensive `to sustain the long-term investment and economy in our state.'…" |