HARRISBURG -
It's been 10 days since the state budget was passed, but still some pieces of the spending plan are being held up. New legislation, calling for the legalization of table games in casinos, still has yet to be passed.
It doesn't look like there is an end in sight. The House can't agree on a taxing plan for table games and they aren't scheduled to be back in session until November 9. That means 28 schools across the Commonwealth will continue to suffer the consequences of limited funding.
It took over 100 days, but October 9, brought the passing and signing of Pennsylvania's long overdue budget.
"This is truly an achievement in holding down both administrative and program spending," said Governor Ed Rendell after signing the budget on October 9.
Now, a week and a half after Governor Rendell put pen to paper, parts of the deal are yet to be finalized. Under the spending plan, the state expects to bring in $200 million next year from table games in Pennsylvania casinos. Yet those games, and how much the casino's will be taxed, is still being worked out.
Under a plan passed by the Senate, casinos would be taxed 14 percent on table games proceeds and pay a $15 million licensing fee. The House has yet to finalize a plan. But a Democratic backed bill calls for a 34 percent tax. Still, some legislators are worried these new taxes will take away from slots revenues and property tax relief.
"I don't want to pass a table gaming legislation and find out that my citizens are getting less money on property tax relief and I'm imposing other taxes at them. It just doesn't make sense," said Representative Ron Miller, (R) York County after an emergency table games of the House on October 4..
The hold up in passing table games means 28 state related schools aren't getting some of their monies. Schools like Penn state and Temple are awaiting the passing of the table games legislation before they can get their hands on some much needed cash.
All told, those 28 schools rely on over $700 million in state funding.
It's funding that we expect to learn a little more about later today. The Governor has planned a news conference later this morning to update us on how the budget, and the monies associated with it, are being dispersed.
It doesn't look like there is an end in sight. The House can't agree on a taxing plan for table games and they aren't scheduled to be back in session until November 9. That means 28 schools across the Commonwealth will continue to suffer the consequences of limited funding.
It took over 100 days, but October 9, brought the passing and signing of Pennsylvania's long overdue budget.
"This is truly an achievement in holding down both administrative and program spending," said Governor Ed Rendell after signing the budget on October 9.
Now, a week and a half after Governor Rendell put pen to paper, parts of the deal are yet to be finalized. Under the spending plan, the state expects to bring in $200 million next year from table games in Pennsylvania casinos. Yet those games, and how much the casino's will be taxed, is still being worked out.
Under a plan passed by the Senate, casinos would be taxed 14 percent on table games proceeds and pay a $15 million licensing fee. The House has yet to finalize a plan. But a Democratic backed bill calls for a 34 percent tax. Still, some legislators are worried these new taxes will take away from slots revenues and property tax relief.
"I don't want to pass a table gaming legislation and find out that my citizens are getting less money on property tax relief and I'm imposing other taxes at them. It just doesn't make sense," said Representative Ron Miller, (R) York County after an emergency table games of the House on October 4..
The hold up in passing table games means 28 state related schools aren't getting some of their monies. Schools like Penn state and Temple are awaiting the passing of the table games legislation before they can get their hands on some much needed cash.
All told, those 28 schools rely on over $700 million in state funding.
It's funding that we expect to learn a little more about later today. The Governor has planned a news conference later this morning to update us on how the budget, and the monies associated with it, are being dispersed.
