Deal would benefit casinos

The South Mississippi Sun Herald

March 26, 2008

A bill that would give tax breaks to casinos that build non-gambling amenities - South Mississippi's last surviving piece of legislation for the 2008 session - faces a deadline today.

Behind the scenes, lawmakers are trying to broker a deal on the legislation, which was killed last year by anti-gambling forces in the Senate. The deal being discussed would limit casinos to counties were they are already legal. The deal would require pro-casino lawmakers to vote for the geographical limit, and anti-casino ones to vote to allow the incentives.

House Bill 1196, offered by Rep. Diane Peranich, D-Pass Christian, would provide tax breaks to casinos that invest more than $10 million on non-gambling developments. It would cover theme parks, water parks, cultural or historical centers, motor speedways or other large non-gambling tourist attractions. The bill would also provide incentives for hotel investments of more than $40 million, as well as golf courses with investments of more than $10 million.

Senate Bill 2199 is aimed at limiting casinos to the counties in which they presently exist.

Both measures must pass both houses by the end of today or they will die. Legislators with bills they can't get the other house to agree to will have to try to get their measures in conference to keep them alive. In conference, lawmakers will try to work out differences.

'I believe it's going to pass,' said Sen. David Baria, D-Bay St. Louis, who is vice chair of the Senate Tourism Committee.

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