NE1: The Northeast Gambling Benefits Act II [Signed]

[Ѕenator Αverroës]

The Northeast Region Gambling Benefits Act (Revised)

25% of all tax revenues received from casinos and from any other form of gambling in the Northeast Region go into gambling, alcohol, tobacco, and drug addiction revovery programs and into gambling, alcohol, tobacco, and drug education programs designed to educate Northeast citizens, in particular youth and young adults, on the harmful effects of gambling, alcohol, toacco, and drug use.

Sponsor: Representative Winfield
Debate expires: 7 am, Friday, June 15

[Ѕenator Αverroës]

I'm not sure about this for several reasons. A few questions to start us off:

Does this apply to local taxes in addition to regional taxes? The language needs to be clarified.

Another question, related but not directly relevant: Does the region have a lottery? Do any of the states have lotteries or promote off-track betting? I'd be very much on board with abolishing state-sponsored gambling, which in most cases effectively serves as a tax on the poor.

[LINCOLN REPUBLICAN]

The bill states all taxes, therefore, that includes local and regional taxes. 

[Ѕenator Αverroës]

In that case, it's a non-starter with me.

[LINCOLN REPUBLICAN]

I do not understand why anyone would be opposed to the gambling industry being responsible for some of the cost of recovery and education programs as outlined.

The taxpayers would be saving millions of dollars in costs they would not have to cover themselves for these programs.

As a matter of fact, the tobacco and alcohol industries should be picking up their share of these costs as well.

[Ѕenator Αverroës]

That's debatable, but I'm not willing to negotiate on this legislation if it demands that we, in effect, confiscate local taxes. Local governments should be free to spend their tax revenues as they decide.

[Senator Napoleon]

Probably, we should lower the rate to 15% and have it only apply to regional taxes.

[LINCOLN REPUBLICAN]

I'm open to a compromise if we can get something meaningful accomplished in this regard. 

The people of the Northeast should have some meaningful benefits from the windfall profits realized by the gambling industry. 

[Ѕenator Αverroës]

Would you like me to extend debate time?

[LINCOLN REPUBLICAN]

Yes, that would be beneficial, I believe.

[Ѕenator Αverroës]

I'll grant a 24 hour extension. Let's see if we can craft a compromise.

[LINCOLN REPUBLICAN]

I would be willing to accept the Governor's proposal to have the revenue apply only to regional taxes.  20% would be in line, but let's see what we can agree on.

[IDS Legislator Alfred F. Jones]

I'll introduce this amendment:

The Northeast Region Gambling Benefits Act (Revised)

25% 20% of all Regional tax revenues received from casinos and from any other form of gambling in the Northeast Region go into gambling, alcohol, tobacco, and drug addiction revovery programs and into gambling, alcohol, tobacco, and drug education programs designed to educate Northeast citizens, in particular youth and young adults, on the harmful effects of gambling, alcohol, toacco, and drug use.

I think 10-20% would be a good amount.

[Senator Napoleon]

Is this a new tax or taking money from current revenues? If the latter, I will have to veto.

[IDS Legislator Alfred F. Jones]

Is this a new tax or taking money from current revenues? If the latter, I will have to veto.

I believe it is the latter.

[Senator Napoleon]

Is this a new tax or taking money from current revenues? If the latter, I will have to veto.

I believe it is the latter.

It should be a new tax.

[Rowan]

Casinos aren't even generating profits these days. Most are working with losses right now.

[Senator Napoleon]

Casinos aren't even generating profits these days. Most are working with losses right now.

Perhaps we should wait until the economy picks back up to do something like this.

[Rowan]

What could be possibly done is to take 50% of the licensing fees for new casinos and use that money for treatment of addiction.

[Senator Napoleon]

Thoughts on the former Senator's suggestion? I would be comfortable with it.

[IDS Legislator Alfred F. Jones]

Sure, why not?

[LINCOLN REPUBLICAN]

Casinos aren't even generating profits these days. Most are working with losses right now.

What evidence do you have to back that up?

In any gambling establishment the odds are so stacked in the favor of the house that it would be impossible for the gambling establishment to lose money.

The amendment should move forward to a vote.  It is a good amendment.

[Rep Pyrofox]

This all looks good to me. I see no reason not to approve of this.

[Ѕenator Αverroës]

The Assembly will now vote on the final text of the bill. Voting will last 24 hours or until all Representatives have voted.

The Northeast Region Gambling Benefits Act (Revised)

20% of regional tax revenues received from casinos and from any other form of gambling in the Northeast Region go into gambling, alcohol, tobacco, and drug addiction recovery programs and into gambling, alcohol, tobacco, and drug education programs designed to educate Northeast citizens, in particular youth and young adults, on the harmful effects of gambling, alcohol, tobacco, and drug use.

[Ѕenator Αverroës]

Nay