(NOTE FROM DIANNE BERLIN: We are adding more legislators but need more to sign onto the letter below from Rep. Frank Wolf. PLEASE CIRCULATE and thanks for all that you are doing to help.) =================================== Thanks ever so much for your help in getting people to call their Member of Congress and urge them to sign Congressman Wolf's Dear Colleague opposing tax breaks for casinos. We have heard from a number of offices that they have received a number of calls -- thank you! Its making a real difference. But I know we can get more Members to cosign. Would you be willing to resend a message to your lists encouraging them to keep calling (and for those who haven't called yet to do so). The Deadline is Friday, Oct. 7 (close of business). 34 current cosigners: Wolf, Foxx, Shays, Pitts, Walter Jones, Lee Terry, Hostettler, Inglis, Dave Weldon, Osborne, Ehlers, Hoekstra, Hinchey, Bachus, Akin, Goode, Culberson, Bordallo, Drake, Forbes, Stearns, Myrick, Souder, Ryun, Rob Bishop, Gutknecht, Cannon, Mike Rogers (MI), Tiahrt, Curt Weldon, Leach, Shadegg , DeFazio, Rep. Mike Pence Thanks so much for all your help. Here's a blurb to help describe the urgency -- Recently, the Washington Post disclosed that the Bush Administration is considering extending special interest tax breaks to help rebuild the casinos in the Gulf region. With record deficits projected and cuts for the poor and needy on the table, special interest tax breaks for the gambling industry don't make sense. Please call your Member of Congress and urge them to sign the letter being circulated by Congress Wolf opposing these disgraceful special interest tax breaks. Courtney Courtney Haller Schlieter Appropriations Legislative Assistant Congressman Frank Wolf (VA-10)
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Frank Wolf Member of Congress Text of Letter
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.
Today's Washington Post 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,
Vice Chairman of Voter Education
http://www.ycop.org
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/YCOP/
http://www.InformedPA.com
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