Gambling-statements-Dickey-April

===Source===
:By Robert Dickey, President, KQV Newsradio
:Broadcast: April 28, 29, 30, 2006 
==More Slots Sleight-of-Hand Sleaze!==
Has it come as any surprise to you that our legislators in Harrisburg and some of our political leaders in Pittsburgh and Allegheny County may again be leading us down a primrose path?
It revolves around the slot machine legislation voted on in Harrisburg and the result it's having here in the 'Burg!
When the proposal to legislate the legalization of gambling in Pennsylvania was approved, it was agreed there would be one slot machine license in Pittsburgh proper. Equally important, the whole idea of legalizing slots was sold in the legislature on the promise that the resultant revenue would be used to reduce property taxes around the state. The argument was made that reducing property taxes would justify this legislation!
It should be noted that not everyone has been in favor of legalized gambling and the slot machine casinos. There are those of us who still believe that a slot machine casino here may have an overall negative effect on the city.
The competition for the license in Pittsburgh is narrowed down to three applicants - Isle of Capri Casinos, Majestic Star Casino, and Forest City Development which includes Harrah's Entertainment.
Suddenly, the primary focal point in the competition now has become the building of a new arena for the Pittsburgh Penguins; while reducing property taxes seems to have become incidental!
The ultimate winner of the license will be determined by the supposedly impartial State Gaming Board. Meanwhile, celebrities have been enlisted by the different applicants and, as expected, some of our arena political leaders, falling into line, have offered their arena enhanced endorsements as well.
Thus, the building of a new arena has become the critical issue in this slots competition, which has become another typical sleight-of-hand sleaze by-product of Harrisburg-style political shenanigans; while reducing property tax, the original intent of this proposal, has faded into insignificant oblivion instead of retaining its original "Number One" priority status.
Is this another bill of goods we're being sold? How could we have been na�ve enough to believe these self-serving politicians?
As far as we're concerned, property tax reduction still must be the principal objective of this endeavor and not the building of a new arena for the Penguins, who might leave town anyway if they are sold.
Is it any wonder that we, the long suffering taxpayers of Pennsylvania, are so frustrated by the repetitious "now you see it...now you don't" game playing machinations of our elected so-called public servants in Harrisburg.
Ah, but remember, this is an election year...a good time for us to go to the polls and show these sleazes how we play the "here today - gone tomorrow" game with their careers!
==Links==
* Gambling
category:Planks_from_elsewhere