Delco Officials Testify In Harrisburg To Fix Casino Tax

Delaware County Council Chairman Mario J. Civera Jr. and Councilman John McBlain ventured to Harrisburg Tuesday to discuss the potentially devastating impact on the county's revenue due to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court's decision to call the state's gaming tax unconstitutional.

The state Supreme Court's ruling said that the local tax share payments in the Gaming Act of 2004 is unconstitutional as is favor certain casinos over other and centers around assessing the tax by percentage or on the basis of a flat fee, according to a county press release.

The county receives about $4.3 million in taxes fro Harrah's casino in Chester, according to the county.

While the state legislator was given 120 days to fix the casino tax, the General Assembly only has one more three-day voting session scheduled this fall, Oct. 24-26, the press release said.

"This is a complicated situation but we believe that the General Assembly must preserve a process that has worked to benefit the Commonwealth and its citizens," Civera testified Tuesday in Harrisburg. "Delaware County is home to Harrah’s Casino in the City of Chester. Harrah’s employs more than 1,400 people in well-paying jobs and local share revenue has enabled the county and the city to make substantial contributions to the local economy."

He and McBlain testified that taxes generated form Harrah's have become integral in the county budget and have helped businesses, human services, and residents through creating infrastructure, jobs, and children's advocacy programs.

Civera was a Pennsylvania House Representative when the casino tax was adopted and said a major part of the act was to ensure gaming could support growth and employment in the communities where casinos operate and that it was important to channel some of the gaming revenue back into those communities.

"We understand that you face a difficult task as you try to find a path that complies with the Supreme Court’s decision and we are ready to work with you to accomplish that," McBlain said. "When the casinos purchased their licenses, they were in agreement that part of the revenue would benefit the communities they impact. Chairman Civera and I are fighting to keep that tax share."

Gaming Oversight Committee Chairman John Payne of Dauphin County, said he favors a narrow fix of the tax, but the committee is also considering additional revenue brought in from legalized internet gambling.

McBlain said he and Civera are fighting to fix the act to ensure their constituents, community, and county gets the fair share of tax revenue.

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