Posted: | January 5, 2017 10:07 AM |
---|---|
From: | Representative Thomas P. Murt |
To: | All House members |
Subject: | Restoration of Assessment on Table Games to Fund Programs and Services for Adults with Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities (Prior HB 1773) |
“Every generation is afforded an opportunity to make the world a better place. The opportunity before our current generation is how we will care for our adult brothers and sisters with intellectual and developmental disabilities.” .…..Anonymous Without a doubt, one of the most pressing issues in our Commonwealth and across our nation is caring for aging adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. As the current generation of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities ages, their needs become even more acute. Many of these men and women with disabilities already live with aging parents, some of whom are literally in their nineties. Sadly, these adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities will not get a placement into a group home or receive supports until one of their parents dies. This is a painful reality of the ‘Waiting List.’ This is truly one of the most urgent issues facing our Commonwealth. In the near future, I will introduce legislation which amends the Gaming Act. Specifically, the legislation will restore the 14% tax on table games. Currently, the tax is at 12%. The tax was originally ‘pegged’ at 14%, but was reduced to 12% after the first two years of the establishment of table games in the Commonwealth. This proposed supplemental 2% tax will be earmarked specifically to a fund which will be utilized to fund programs and services for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. This token and nominal increase will not adversely impact the volume of gaming activities on table games, but it will generate much desperately needed funding that will be used to care for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. In a bipartisan fashion, we have made great progress in supporting this mission of caring for Pennsylvanians who have disabilities. Please consider cosponsoring this important piece of legislation. Previous Cosponsors: MILLARD, THOMAS, D. COSTA, COHEN and TALLMAN |
Introduced as HB818