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Pennsylvania Money Deal Fizzles

ERIE, Pennsylvania – As reported by the Erie Times-News: "First, a proposed subsidy for MTR Gaming Inc. was taken off the table.

"Now it appears a proposed revenue-sharing agreement for casino gaming fees will be next.

"An Erie County government committee is taking a dim view of any revenue-sharing agreement, saying its research concludes that existing gaming law, which directs the bulk of gaming revenue to county government, will remain in effect.

"…The committee is expected to make recommendations to County Council over the next several months. The other committee members are County Clerk Doug Smith; Joseph Maloney, council's accountant; and County Solicitor John Onorato.

"Under existing law, the county would receive about $5.5 million each year in gaming fees with no restrictions on how it would be spent. That figure is based on estimated total gambling revenues of $100 million annually.

"The committee is working on recommendations for the use of that unrestricted money. Possibilities include setting up a fund that could be used to benefit all county residents through countywide projects, or a property tax reduction, officials said.

"…The committee is exploring which type of mechanism would be used to distribute the restricted money as grants, whether it would be a new authority or an existing agency, such as the Erie County Redevelopment Authority, officials said…"

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