Gambling Expansion Proposed To Fix Budget Deficit
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- There are some mixed reactions to a plan by some Republican legislators to fix the budget deficit in Pennsylvania.
Some Republicans in Harrisburg believe adding slot machines at airports and off-track betting sites, as well as adding internet gambling, could help boost state revenue.
While some people think the idea makes sense, others are unsettled by it.
"I don't find that big of problem with it," said Jennifer Williams of Glassport. "If they're overseeing it, it's not that big of deal and also putting something at the airport would kind of help pass the time, too."
But Courtney Schubert from Liberty Borough disagrees: "I think if it's at the airport, it's a little weird to be completely honest. I think it should stay in the casinos."
With a budget stalemate in Harrisburg, House Majority Leader Dave Reed from Indiana County thinks it's time to consider expanding gambling.
"We're faced with some very tough decisions right now," said Rep. Reed.
"Before we look at increasing taxes on working families, we have a responsibility to look at every other possible revenue source out there, and expanded gaming is certainly one of those possibilities."
The idea would be that existing brick and mortar casinos would pay a license fee to expand into new areas and also be taxed.
Rep. Reed believes it could bring in up to $500 million a year, every year.
While Governor Wolf is open to possible gaming expansion, it has to be part of an overall package that fixes a projected long-term deficit.
An administration spokesperson says increased gambling options would not fully provide that fix.
And some wonder if anymore gambling comes at price. Darren Smith from Scott Township concluded: "There's money to be made, but then you worry about people spending money they don't have."
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