State Capitol Roundup for May 2

Another installment of the weekly State Capitol Roundup courtesy of Rep. Bob Mensch, R-147th District:

Gaming Board Refuses To Answer Licensing Questions

Republican lawmakers are frustrated by the continued refusal of Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board officials to answer tough questions about their licensing process. At a House Gaming Oversight Committee hearing this week on several proposals aimed at improving the licensing process and bringing accountability to the industry, many questions about background and financial checks were left unanswered as the Democratic chairman forbade certain Republican lawmakers from questioning members of the gaming board. House Bill 1450 clarifies and strengthens the attorney general's role in background investigations for gaming licensees. House Bill 2389 transfers the duties of the Bureau of Investigations and Enforcement to the Pennsylvania State Police. House Bill 2396 prohibits gaming licenses from being awarded to people convicted of racketeering. For more information, visit PAHouseGOP.com.

Turnpike Lease Should Not Be Rushed, Secretive

The Rendell Administration is extending its deadline for bids to lease the Pennsylvania Turnpike after receiving not a single proposal by its April 30 deadline. While the governor's office still hopes to have the Legislature vote on the winning bid before the end of June, it now seems questionable that there will be sufficient time to responsibly review and act on the plan. Republican Leader Sam Smith, earlier this week, noted that the secrecy surrounding the process and the time frame placed on completion don't bode well for final approval in June. He also believes lawmakers should have the ability to review ALL lease proposals, not just the one the governor chooses. The administration is advocating the lease as a means of generating funds for highway and bridge repair. It is estimated that a 75-year lease of the 530-mile stretch of highway could generate between $12 billion and $18 billion. Last year, the state approved a plan which, if implemented, establishes tolls on I-80 and would generate an estimated $1 billion per year. The Federal Highway Administration has since returned the state's initial application to toll the highway, pointing to a lack of sufficient information in nearly 30 instances.

State Revenue Surplus Supports GOP Tax Cut Plan

Recent data released from the Department of Revenue shows Pennsylvania heading for another above-average year for tax revenue. For the current fiscal year, the state has already collected $437 million more than originally anticipated. House Republicans point to this information as clear evidence that taxpayers are simply paying too much. In an effort to provide a stimulus to the state's economy, House Republicans are calling for a host of tax cuts for individuals and businesses. The Economic Stimulus Tax Cut proposal, House Bill 2270, would make the state more competitive in retaining and attracting businesses and jobs by lowering the state Personal Income Tax (PIT) to 2.9 percent, reducing various business taxes and lowering the electricity gross receipts tax. If enacted, the economic stimulus plan would inject the economy with an estimated $500 million.