Perzel Bill Uses Slot Revenue to Cover Philadelphia Police, Fire Budget Shortfalls
 
HARRISBURG – Rep. John Perzel (R-Philadelphia) today announced he has introduced House Bill 2774 which would direct a portion of the revenue generated by slot machines in Philadelphia to help the city cover shortfalls in its police and fire budgets.
 
“Like the rest of the nation, Philadelphia is facing a very difficult budget crisis,” Perzel said. “To deal with the crisis, the city’s police and fire budgets are being cut. The threat to public safety as a result of those cuts is totally unacceptable.”
 
Under current law, counties hosting casinos receive 4 percent of the gross terminal revenues generated by slot machines. Perzel’s bill would direct that the local share from Philadelphia’s casinos be used to make up the shortfall in Philadelphia’s police and fire budgets. Any remaining funds would be placed in the city’s general fund.
 
“When both casinos are up and running in Philadelphia, it is estimated that the local share of the slots revenue will be about $14 million,” Perzel said. “Rather than giving the city a free hand to spend those funds any way they want, my bill will ensure public safety by directing that the funds be used to cover the shortfalls in the police and fire budgets.”
 
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