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I am not a big fan of gambling.
Some call it “gaming,” but that’s only to put lipstick on a pig.
You see, I was one of the few people who believed Pennsylvania’s foray into gambling was a charade. First, it was sold as relief for the Pennsylvania horse racing industry. If an industry is ready for the glue factory, why is it the job of the rest of the state’s residents to bail it out? A lot of other industries were allowed to fade away without much fanfare. Why save the track?
Then, because not enough people were moved at the plight of a few guys who prop up the silk industry, lawmakers hit the sweet spot. They promised Pennsylvania property owners something they’ve been clamoring for since the 1970s. The buzz tied gambling at slots parlors to property tax reform, and Pennsylvanians were off to the races. Who could resist the promises of slashing the one bill taxpayers dread each fall? Everyone’s a winner, right?
Not so fast, sucker. David Baldinger of the Pennsylvania Taxpayers Cyber Coalition was on the air with me today reciting some of the numbers from the State Department of Education for Luzerne and Lackawanna county residents. Surprise! We lose!
The slots have met the $400 million threshold needed for relief. Here’s what some of you will get. Remember, this is an average:
Lackawanna County:
Abington Heights: $77 (get yourself a space heater)
Carbondale Area: $135 (cha-ching)
Dunmore: $60 (whooooo!)
Lakeland: $58 (splurge on a tank of gas)
Mid Valley: $41 (grab fast food for a family of five)
North Pocono: $132 (serious moolah, but they probably pay more)
Old Forge: $58 (pizza for the gang, maybe a brew)
Riverside: $88 (dinner and a movie)
Scranton: $171 (hey, they must know somebody)
Valley View: $109 (ski trip)
Luzerne County:
Crestwood: $44 (one lawn trim)
Dallas: $35 (snacks)
Greater Nanticoke: $90 (one tire)
Hanover: $127 (hey, they must have connections!)
Hazleton: $89 (trip to Chinese buffet for six)
Lake-Lehman: $65 (trip to the hairdresser for mom to get high lights)
Northwest: $112 (trip to the Five Mountain Market for one week of groceries)
Pittston: $64 (trip to the Mohegan Sun to double down)
Wilkes-Barre Area: $124 (not bad, maybe a bike for the kid)
Wyoming Area: $47 (a few rounds of mini golf and an ice cream cone)
Wyoming Valley West: $88 (a couple of football sweatshirts)
Meanwhile, Harrisburg makes promises about funding soccer stadiums, bloated convention centers and other pie in the sky nonsense. This is not acceptable and you know it.
Baldinger advocates HB 1275, legislation eliminating property taxes. In exchange, there would be a tax on services, such as landscaping and legal services. He claims this will fill the gap.
Other bills will be proposed next week in Harrisburg. Keep your eye on the dealer.
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Sue Henry
