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Louisiana Legislators Hike Riverboat Taxes, Block Barge Expansion22 March 2001BATON ROUGE, Louisiana – March 22, 2001 –As reported by the Associated Press: "The Senate and House both voted overwhelmingly today for a compromise bill on a riverboat casino tax increase to find more money for teacher pay. "…The industry originally agreed on a bill to increase their tax from 18.5 percent of gross to 21.5 percent in exchange for dockside gambling. Nine of the boats that pay the tax are now required to cruise periodically, something customers don't like to do. "The five Shreveport-Bossier City boats were exempted from the higher tax in the original bill because they have always been dockside on the Red River. "…The House kept the original deal but the Senate insisted that all boats pay the higher tax. "…The compromise allows the five boats 25 months to get to the 21.5 percent tax. They would pay 19.5 percent beginning April 1. The tax would go to 20.5 percent a year later, and ultimately, 21.5 percent. "No barge casinos could be built…" |