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House Moves to Bipartisan Waste of Time

by: elwood

Mon Mar 26, 2012 at 19:25:57 PM EDT
Maybe they can get a majority for casino gambling. The measure enjoys some support from both parties. Gambling has never really been a partisan issue - it has strong proponents, and strong opponents, in each party.

But nobody expects a two-thirds majority, and Governor Lynch has pledged to veto it. So, the effort amounts to posturing and pre-positioning for the upcoming election. It won't affect the budget one way or another.

Nevertheless, the bill has its despicable, odious streak. Is this how New Hampshire can pay for education - maybe providing some relief for middle-class property tax bills? Don't be silly. The proceeds would all be dedicated to lowering the business profits and business enterprise tax.
elwood :: House Moves to Bipartisan Waste of Time
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House Moves to Bipartisan Waste of Time | 5 comments
So, basically, casinos (0.00 / 0)
will do nothing to help the over burdened homeowner and the 19th century tax system based on what you own and not on your ability to pay.  Great.
But it lets you say (4.00 / 2)
that you are supposedly trying to solve the problem without breaking The Pledge.  
[ Parent ]
Gambling revenues would never... (4.00 / 1)
have offset property taxes in any meaningful way.

A few years ago when gambling last came up during the Democratic  majority, I saw an ad on WMUR touting the great revenues of $200 million for the state coffers.

Well, we collect about $3 BILLION in property taxes in this state. Even if all that gambling revenue went to offset property taxes, it would have brought them down less that 10%.

IF gambling revenues would have come in as high as promoted. IF gambling revenues were to prove a stable state tax source.

JillSH

And it's not an offset NH needs (4.00 / 1)
Property taxes are high by national standards, and they put an undue burden on those on fixed-incomes, and they disproportionately favor the wealthy, and they lead to poor land use and suburban sprawl. Aside from all those issue and the open debate that should be had about all revenue structures, New Hampshire does not need to offset existing revenue, it needs to increase it.

Programs and infrastructure were already structurally underfunded before 2011, and they are now lethally underfunded. Offsetting property or even business taxes, whatever the merits may or may not be, is not the issue. The issue is finding reliable revenue streams to pay for the programs and infrastructure that New Hampshire needs, and that New Hampshire residents want.

[ Parent ]
why the waste of time because it may ensure that your campaign coffers are stuffed with gambling dollars (4.00 / 3)
John Lynch like Craig Benson was a very rich man and gambling checks were not necessary to wage a vigorous campaign for governor. This time around none of the candidates are in the multimillion dollar range and will need to raise millions to support their campaigns. Now that businesses can cut checks to candidates it will be interesting to track the support of gambling interests to the support of different candidates for Gov. Exec. Council and the NH State Senate. The problem with gambling is not the addiction of the players but the dependence of the political actors to the campaign cash needed for elections and the dollars desperately needed by the starving revenue stream that no longer is supported by taxes but supported by competing casinos and slots.  
House Moves to Bipartisan Waste of Time | 5 comments

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