Pennsylvania No. 2 In Casino Revenue, Behind Only Las Vegas

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PHILADELPHIA — Gross revenue from Pennsylvania’s 11 casinos rose 4.4 percent last year to more than $3.1 billion, further cementing the state’s status as the second-largest U.S. gambling market as the Atlantic City market saw another decline.

The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board reported the state’s 11 casinos brought in nearly $3.16 billion in gross revenue from slot machines and table games last year, up from just over $3 billion in 2011.  The figures were boosted by growth in table games, which generated $687.4 million in gross revenue last year, up about 11 percent from the year before.  Earlier this month, the state reported revenues from slot machines in 2012 were $2.47 billion, up about 2.7 percent from 2011.

Read more:  http://www.pottsmerc.com/article/20130117/NEWS03/130119460/pennsylvania-no-2-in-casino-revenue-behind-only-las-vegas

Take Tax Gripes To School Boards, Not State, Corbett Says

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HARRISBURG – Pennsylvanians who are concerned about rising school taxes should take their complaints to local school boards, not the state government, Gov. Tom Corbett said Wednesday.

“I think the taxpayers need to help themselves,” Corbett replied when a caller on Philadelphia’s Talk Radio 1210 WPHT asked what can be done to help ease the pressures on taxpayers.

In his monthly appearance on the “Dom Giordano Program,” the Republican governor suggested that excessively small class sizes and overly generous contracts with teachers unions are part of the reason many school districts are struggling financially.

“I would love to see the taxpayers speaking up at the school board meetings,” he said.

Read more: http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=379227

PA State Layoff Figure Announced

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After months of speculation, even from Fast Eddie, we have a number!  50 state workers are being laid-off to balance the budget. 

Way to go Fast Eddie. 

Is it January yet?

Fast Eddie News

Three things today:

1.  Rendell is leaving us with one last “gift” when he leaves office.  Pennsylvania  Turnpike tolls will be increasing another 10% effective 1/2/11.  E-Z Pass customers will experience a 3% increase.  It is speculated that this is the first in a series of fare increases.  Thanks Ed!

2.  Rendell now expects state employee layoffs to only be about 200 because everybody, their brother and the horse the rode in on are retiring.  The hiring freeze has also helped.  We should have a more concrete number next week.  Oh joy, oh rapture.  More drain on the pension fund.  That will fix everything.

3.  I heard on the radio yesterday that the Pennsylvania State Police have trooper openings that need filled.  So guess what?  They don’t have the money to train them since Fast Eddie slashed their budget something like $9 million dollars.  So no new troopers.  Ummmm public safety is pretty important Ed.  I think we can do with a few less SEPTA or PAT transit employees before we start cutting the police budget.  Many areas of our state depend on the Pennsylvania State Police as their only means of police protection.  Bad move Ed.