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65 MEMBERS SIGN LETTER OPPOSING TAX BREAKS FOR CASINOS
Washington, D.C – Sixty-five members of Congress have signed a letter to President Bush opposing special tax breaks to rebuild casinos destroyed by Hurricane Katrina, according to Rep. Frank Wolf (R-VA), who circulated the letter.
“With budget deficits growing to historic levels, we need to make sure tax dollars are going to those who truly need the government’s help,” the letter said. “Tax breaks for the gambling industry do not make sense.”
The following members signed the letter:
Frank Wolf, Jim Ryun, Barbara Cubin, Chris Shays, John Hostettler, Jim Matheson, Mark Green, Shelley Moore Capito, Robert Aderholt, Lee Terry, Virgil Goode Jr., John Boozman, Marilyn Musgrave, Vern Ehlers, Mark Kirk, John Culberson, Todd Platts, Thelma Drake, Gary Miller, John Shimkus, Mike Rogers (AL), Tom Osborne, Virginia Foxx, Lincoln Davis, Walter Jones, Allyson Schwartz, Gil Gutknecht, Mike Pence, Spencer Bachus, Ed Whitfield, John Shadegg, Randy Forbes, Madeline Bordallo, Mike Rogers (MI), Robin Hayes, Sue Myrick, Adam Smith, Joe Pitts, Darlene Hooley, Todd Akin, Curt Weldon, Rob Bishop, Joel Hefley, Bob Inglis, Nick Rahall, Jim Marshall, John McHugh, Brad Miller, Carolyn Maloney, Ernest Istook, Dave Weldon, Chris Cannon, Bob Goodlatte, Todd Tiahrt, Lane Evans, Michael McNulty, Peter Hoekstra, Mark Souder, Duncan Hunter, Jim Leach, Dale Kildee, Peter DeFazio, Jerry Moran, Cliff Stearns and Bud Cramer.
Attached is the complete text of the letter.
October 12, 2005
The President
The White House
Washington DC 20500
Dear Mr. President:
We are writing out of concern about your plan to provide the gambling industry in the Gulf region with special tax breaks as part of its economic recovery package in the wake of the devastation left by Hurricane Katrina.
A recent Washington Post article indicates that the administration is not planning to exclude gambling interests from receiving economic development tax breaks. This tax break represents a dramatic shift from current federal policy, under which the exclusion of casinos from receiving special tax breaks has been routine.
According to Bill Crawford, deputy director of the Mississippi Development Authority, the casinos there have not needed any enticement to invest in the state and are ready to rebuild. A Harrah’s spokesman said the casino was planning to “come back bigger and better” in the wake of hurricane Katrina — without special tax breaks.
In Mississippi, the gambling interests have never received special economic development tax breaks. According to Brian Richard, an economic development expert at the University of Southern Mississippi and a former employee of the Mississippi Gaming Association, the gambling industry has been specifically excluded by statute from state economic development incentives. Mississippi economists note that it’s not needed. “The casinos don’t need this. If they are eligible, that would be a complete waste of money,” William Shughart, an economist at the University of Mississippi, told the Post.
With budget deficits growing to historic levels, we need to make sure tax dollars are going to those who truly need the government’s help. Tax breaks for the gambling industry do not make sense. The Post article calculates the benefit to MGM Mirage could reach $50 million and that’s only one casino enterprise. This special interest incentive would be a disgrace.
We trust you will do the right thing and make sure federal resources go to the poor, the needy and the vulnerable and not the gambling interests who already have insurance to cover catastrophic events like hurricanes. Sincerely,
To view a copy of this letter click here http://www.house.gov/wolf/news/2005/Katrina%20tax%20breaks%20final.pdf
Source: http://www.house.gov/wolf/news/2005/10-12-65members.html
Vice Chairman of Voter Education
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