COUNTY COUNCIL ADOPTS LEGISLATION REQUIRING HALF OF LOCAL GAMING REVENUE TO FUND PUBLIC EDUCATION

Prince George's County Maryland sent this bulletin at 07/15/2015 04:25 PM EDT

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COUNTY COUNCIL ADOPTS LEGISLATION REQUIRING HALF OF LOCAL GAMING REVENUE TO FUND PUBLIC EDUCATION

For immediate release:
7/15/2015 3:00:00 PM

For more information, contact:
Angela Rouson 301-952-7484 CouncilMedia@co.pg.md.us
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CB-33-2015 Ensures County Government Accountability – Earmarks 50-percent of Casino Revenue for Public Education
 
The Prince George’s County Council, during session on Tuesday, July 14, 2015, unanimously adopted CB-33-2015, legislation requiring half of gaming revenue from the MGM National Harbor destination resort be allocated for public education purposes.   
 
Under the new law, 50-percent of annual local gaming revenue, up to a maximum of $25 million, will now be reserved for Prince George’s County Public Schools, Prince George’s Community College, and the Prince George’s County Memorial Library System, as a part of the County’s regular or supplemental budget processes.  The law requires that this funding supplement and not replace or supplant existing County funding sources for public education.
 
Council Chairman Mel Franklin (D) – District 9, says CB-33 is about accountability and trust.  
 
“When residents voted by large margins to allow gaming in the County in 2012, they relied on promises from elected officials and others that the funds would increase the County's investment in education,” said Chairman Franklin.  "The unanimous passage of Council Bill 33 keeps trust with our constituents by requiring that 50-percent of the County revenues from the MGM National Harbor destination resort be used to increase spending on our public schools, libraries and community college."
Prince George’s Community College President Dr. Charlene Dukes, spoke in support of the legislation, during a public hearing on the measure.
“Our students help to expand the County’s economic base through their higher incomes while the businesses that employ them become more productive through the students added skills,” said President Dukes.  “These benefits together, associated with the ripple effects of the economy, contribute millions in taxable income to the County’s economy each year.” 
Local gaming revenue, as defined by the legislation, will include revenue from local impact grants distributed to the County from video lottery terminal proceeds; revenue distributed to the County from table game proceeds; real property and personal property taxes; hotel and motel taxes; and admissions and amusement taxes.
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All legislative powers of Prince George’s County are vested in the County Council.  The County Council sits as the District Council on zoning and land use policy, and as the Board of Health to govern and guide health policy.  The County Council meets as a legislative body on Tuesdays in the Council Hearing Room on the first floor of the County Administration Building in Upper Marlboro.  For more information on the Prince George’s County Council, please visit www.princegeorgescountymd.gov
  
 
 

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