Pocono News Section

I-Team: Where's the Promised Property Tax Relief from Casinos?

I-Team: Where's the Promised Property Tax Relief from Casinos? - Tuesday, November 18, 2008 at 5:05PM EST

? Reported by: Joe Holden
Tuesday, Nov 18, 2008 @ 05:05pm EST
Pennsylvania casinos posted whopping profits for the month of October. And while other states' casinos are in the red, PA forges ahead in gaming. But what about that political football, property tax relief?

Casino cash flushed into state accounts has managed to find its way around Pennsylvania. From new stadiums and updated convention centers, it makes you wonder about property tax relief.

Elaine Golaszewski of Wilkes-Barre says, “Times are extremely tough right now and we could use that extra money.”

People like Golaszewski aren't betting on casino revenues slashing their property taxes.

Eyewitness News caught up with Governor Ed Rendell. Asking about that relief, he told us, “The average person got a $200 rebate this year and the reason you haven't seen more is we only have seven of the 14 venues up.”

But many Pennsylvanians believe offsetting property taxes has been back-seated by pearly projects and political wish lists. While shopping at the Wyoming Valley Mall, Gerard Geise remembers the casino promises. “That was probably one of the biggest things that weighed in people's minds as far as letting them come,” he said.

Casinos have become an integral part of Pennsylvania’s budget. 55% of proceeds are injected into state accounts. And it's been a banner month. Pa casinos are up while other states are significantly down.

Rendell touted the success. “We've blown away even the most optimistic estimates,” he said.

But one thing not blown away, property tax. “We vote for these people and their opinions and their plans, waiting for things like this to change and to happen, but it becomes frustrating when it doesn't,” said Golaszewski.

The governor points to the 113,000 senior citizens who apparently have had their property taxes eliminated. And he said there's more to come once Philly and Pittsburgh casinos open.

Meanwhile, optimism for relief is hard to come by. But there's always hope for doing away with property tax. You just gotta find a guy who doesn't own property in PA, and thinks relief would be one heck of a present: Santa Claus. “Oh that would be a lovely gift, ho, ho, ho,” he said.

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