HARRISBURG – To help boost the fund that offers property tax rebates to local property owners, Rep. Tina Pickett (R-Bradford/Sullivan/Susquehanna) has voted in favor of legislation that transfers more money from table game proceeds to property tax relief than what the original law allowed.

“Revenue from the state’s slot machines has benefited property taxpayers for several years, but it has not amounted to the level of relief that was promised to residents,” Pickett said. “To supplement that, it only makes sense for additional table game revenue to be transferred into the Property Tax Relief account.”

Under the table games law that went into effect in 2008, most of the proceeds were deposited in the state’s General Fund. Only after a certain portion was designated for the state’s Rainy Day Fund would revenue be directed to the Property Tax Relief Fund.

House Bill 2009, which passed the House last week, changes that. After the first two years of table games payments to the General Fund, the money would be deposited in the Property Tax Relief Fund.

House Bill 2009 also would make changes to the gaming industry in Pennsylvania by posting a description of all of the Right-to-Know requests, including the ones that were approved, rejected and/or appealed. This would help shine more light on the activity within the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board. In addition, the legislation would require licensed gaming entities to send monthly statements to members of their rewards clubs detailing winnings and losses that month. This would allow casino patrons to see their monthly gaming activities.

“Although we have allowed gaming to occur in Pennsylvania, we need to ensure appropriate controls are in place because of its addictive nature and to ensure the industry is held to the highest standards,” Pickett said.

The bill now goes to the Senate.

State Representative Tina Pickett

110th District, Pennsylvania House of Representatives

Contact: Jennifer Keaton

jkeaton@pahousegop.com

717.705.2094

RepPickett.com

Facebook.com/RepPickett