The specious argument about dollars flowing across state borders leads to all sorts of foolish solutions, like the continued expansion of Gambling.
We heard that argument from Beacon Hill leaders as nonsensical justification when Elected Officials failed to count the license plates of Massachusetts residents flocking to New Hampshire to purchase liquor, cigarettes and large ticket items free of the Massachusetts sales tax of 6.25%.
A recent trip to "Castle in the Clouds" revealed parking lots filled with Massachusetts plates.
Reduction of the Massachusetts sales tax might provide greater revenues than Destination Slot Barns. Is anyone asking?
Massachusetts residents flock over the border to utilize two airports and make contributions to those surrounding states. Where's the demand to build new Massachusetts airports?
Quinn says no to adding or expanding casinos to cut budget gap
SPRINGFIELD – There are two emerging choices for lawmakers who are looking to try and dig Illinois out of its financial mess. Gov. Pat Quinn wants an income tax increase. Some lawmakers want to expand gambling.
And legislators say one is much easier to pass than the other.
On the same day he appeared in Chicago to tout a new veterans lottery game, Quinn once again said he is not looking to add casinos or expand existing casinos as a way to close Illinois’ multi-billion dollar budget gap.
“You can’t gamble your way to prosperity,” Quinn said. “I think we have to understand, in Illinois, we have some gambling. But do we want to expand it and make Illinois the Las Vegas of the Midwest? Not in my opinion.”
Quinn does say he’ll look at the various proposals, but he is not shifting his focus from his proposed income tax increase.
But the lure of easy money may be too much for lawmakers to ignore. State Sen. Mike Jacobs, D-East Moline, said there are some tough choices facing leaders in the state.
He believes that adding new casinos may not be nearly as tough as raising taxes or slashing the state budget.
“I don’t have a sense that there is a lot of support in the legislature for making tough cuts,” he said. “And I don’t have a sense that a tax increase has a lot of support because people will be up for re-election. At the end of the day it may be easier to expand gambling.”
The latest proposal floating around Springfield would place one casino in Chicago, one north of the city, one south of Chicago, and a fourth in Danville. There are also plans to add slots at racetracks, and expand the number of gaming positions at Illinois’ nine existing riverboats. But State Sen. Dave Syverson, R-Rockford, said he doesn’t think Quinn’s position will matter, or even stay the same.
“He will change his mind like he does on pretty much everything,” he said. “The idea that a new lotto game is somehow better than more gambling is just silly.”
Syverson is still hoping to get a riverboat for Rockford.
He said lawmakers need to look at gambling dollars like they do jobs and try and keep all we can in Illinois.
“We have to protect our borders and keep Illinois gamblers in Illinois. Missouri, Indiana, and Wisconsin are all moving to expand gambling in their states so we cannot fall behind,” said Syverson.
Quinn’s gambling comments came on Tuesday as he unveiled the new Veterans Cash lottery ticket. The proceeds from the new lottery game will help augment Illinois’ veterans budget.
We heard that argument from Beacon Hill leaders as nonsensical justification when Elected Officials failed to count the license plates of Massachusetts residents flocking to New Hampshire to purchase liquor, cigarettes and large ticket items free of the Massachusetts sales tax of 6.25%.
A recent trip to "Castle in the Clouds" revealed parking lots filled with Massachusetts plates.
Reduction of the Massachusetts sales tax might provide greater revenues than Destination Slot Barns. Is anyone asking?
Massachusetts residents flock over the border to utilize two airports and make contributions to those surrounding states. Where's the demand to build new Massachusetts airports?
Quinn says no to adding or expanding casinos to cut budget gap
SPRINGFIELD – There are two emerging choices for lawmakers who are looking to try and dig Illinois out of its financial mess. Gov. Pat Quinn wants an income tax increase. Some lawmakers want to expand gambling.
And legislators say one is much easier to pass than the other.
On the same day he appeared in Chicago to tout a new veterans lottery game, Quinn once again said he is not looking to add casinos or expand existing casinos as a way to close Illinois’ multi-billion dollar budget gap.
“You can’t gamble your way to prosperity,” Quinn said. “I think we have to understand, in Illinois, we have some gambling. But do we want to expand it and make Illinois the Las Vegas of the Midwest? Not in my opinion.”
Quinn does say he’ll look at the various proposals, but he is not shifting his focus from his proposed income tax increase.
But the lure of easy money may be too much for lawmakers to ignore. State Sen. Mike Jacobs, D-East Moline, said there are some tough choices facing leaders in the state.
He believes that adding new casinos may not be nearly as tough as raising taxes or slashing the state budget.
“I don’t have a sense that there is a lot of support in the legislature for making tough cuts,” he said. “And I don’t have a sense that a tax increase has a lot of support because people will be up for re-election. At the end of the day it may be easier to expand gambling.”
The latest proposal floating around Springfield would place one casino in Chicago, one north of the city, one south of Chicago, and a fourth in Danville. There are also plans to add slots at racetracks, and expand the number of gaming positions at Illinois’ nine existing riverboats. But State Sen. Dave Syverson, R-Rockford, said he doesn’t think Quinn’s position will matter, or even stay the same.
“He will change his mind like he does on pretty much everything,” he said. “The idea that a new lotto game is somehow better than more gambling is just silly.”
Syverson is still hoping to get a riverboat for Rockford.
He said lawmakers need to look at gambling dollars like they do jobs and try and keep all we can in Illinois.
“We have to protect our borders and keep Illinois gamblers in Illinois. Missouri, Indiana, and Wisconsin are all moving to expand gambling in their states so we cannot fall behind,” said Syverson.
Quinn’s gambling comments came on Tuesday as he unveiled the new Veterans Cash lottery ticket. The proceeds from the new lottery game will help augment Illinois’ veterans budget.
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