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Pennsylvania Slots Bill Passed

HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania – As reported by the Associated Press: " A bill to legalize and tax as many as 61,000 slot machines in Pennsylvania received approval in the state Senate early Friday as a way to cut property tax bills by about 20 percent and borrow billions of dollars for public projects around the state.

"The bill passed 30-20 with support from all 21 Democrats and nine Republicans after five hours of debate that began Thursday evening, and after months of closed-door negotiations.

"While the bill still requires approval from the state House of Representatives, House leaders said they wouldn't vote on it until they also can consider companion legislation to distribute $1 billion a year in gambling revenue to school districts to reduce property taxes. In Philadelphia, a reduction in the city's wage tax would be substituted.

"…The slots bill would set up a gambling commission and authorize it to issue 14 slots licenses to resorts, racetracks and other sites around the state. If the House approves the legislation, Pennsylvania eventually could receive more annual public revenue from gambling than any other state and have more slot machines than any state besides Nevada…"

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