Update: Vote on Table Games at West VA. Tracks Could Be This Week

[PoorLawyer]

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I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you guys!

I used to drive four hours once per week just to get to AC for poker! I really liked living in that area for six years. I definitely miss the poker in AC, nothing out here compares.

I wonder where they will put the poker room in Charles Town. Last time I was there, the casino was so small and smokey. I know they had plans to expand, is that finished? I don't think I've been there since 2001.

Good luck!

Felicia [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]
www.felicialee.net

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it seemed huge when i was there last summer for a little horse race action. basically a sea of slots in multiple rooms and even an upstairs area.

[Jeffage]

A little delay...but outlook still seems cautiously positive.

From Today's Charleston Gazette...

http://www.wvgazette.com/section/News/2005031524?pt=20

Table games on hold for now

Gambling vote could be close


By Phil Kabler
Staff writer

Win or lose, the fate of a bill to legalize table gaming at the state’s four racetracks appears headed for the crunch-time at the end of the 60-day regular session.

On Monday, Senate Democrats decided to delay action on the bill (SB442) until next week to first pursue Gov. Joe Manchin’s legislation to restrict lawsuits against insurance companies.

On Tuesday, House Democrats met in closed-door caucus, but did not have a show of hands of support for table games, as some senators had hoped.

But House Speaker Bob Kiss, D-Raleigh, said polling of the two major House committees that will work on the bill — Judiciary and Finance — indicates the legislation would be narrowly approved.

“It’s a couple of votes to the positive in both Judiciary and Finance,” Kiss said.

He stressed that those numbers could change, depending on what revisions are made to the bill in the Senate and House.

Key prospective changes to the bill are likely to involve revenue, including the 12 percent state tax on gross revenue proposed in the industry-backed version of the bill, as well as whether to dedicate proceeds to particular programs, Kiss said.

That was last done in the 2001 law that legalized up to 9,000 video slot machines in bars and clubs, where state profits were dedicated to the Promise scholarship program, pay raises and other uses.

Kiss said it makes sense for the Legislature to first take up the more contentious governor’s bill on restricting third-party bad-faith lawsuits.

“I agree those are issues we need to concentrate on first,” he said.

Both bills are in Senate Judiciary Committee, where committee members are expected to take up third party bad faith (SB418) by the end up the week, with table games pending next week.

Monday will be the 42nd day of the regular session, with just eight days remaining for each house to take action on bills that originated in that house.

“I don’t think see one house or the other pass it before the 50th day,” Kiss said of table games.

John Cavacini of the West Virginia Racing Association said the industry does not consider the delay a setback.

“Table games is an issue the Legislature is well informed on. It’s not a new issue,” he said.

Cavacini said he agrees that the legislation has the votes to advance from Judiciary and Finance committees in both houses.

He said he recognizes that holding the bill until the end of the session gives the Legislature something of an upper hand in negotiating a final version of the bill.

“The legislative process has a way of working itself out,” he said. “It has worked in past years, and we’re hopeful it will work this year also.”

Meanwhile, Manchin spokeswoman Lara Ramsburg said the administration is encouraged by the Legislature’s willingness to proceed with the governor’s tort reform agenda, and hopes to build a consensus in the House and Senate.

With the regular session nearly a week past the halfway point, Ramsburg said the remaining bills on Manchin’s agenda should emerge this week.

That includes legislation for a higher education pilot project to give Marshall and West Virginia University greater control and flexibility over setting tuition and fees, and over financial management at those institutions.

That bill could be introduced as early as this morning, she said.

Also pending is legislation to reform benefit plans for public employees and teachers’ retirement, intended to help the plans avoid huge unfunded liabilities in the future.

One of those bills would prohibit anyone who has qualified for one state pension to retire, then earn a second pension at another state job.

Ramsburg said the administration has been working closely with House leadership on those bills, and said the legislation will be originated later this week in the House Pensions and Retirement Committee.

To contact staff writer Phil Kabler, use e-mail or call 348-1220.

[beta1607]

Thanks for the updates. I am getting all anxious here in DC with way too much free time and not enough live poker.

[otnemem]

You're in DC? Drive to Atlantic City... It's just as close as West Virginia. I used to live in Morgantown. Two and a half to three hours from MoTown to the burbs of DC. It's the same from DC to AC...

[Jeffage]

I do go to AC quite frequently. However, Charlestown Race Track is about one hour from D.C. compared to the more than 3-hour drive to Atlantic City.

Jeff

[VTDuffman]

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I do go to AC quite frequently. However, Charlestown Race Track is about one hour from D.C. compared to the more than 3-hour drive to Atlantic City.

Jeff

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What He said, it's 30-45 mins from my house to Charlestown. It's 3 hours to AC.

[PoorLawyer]

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You're in DC? Drive to Atlantic City... It's just as close as West Virginia. I used to live in Morgantown. Two and a half to three hours from MoTown to the burbs of DC. It's the same from DC to AC...

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less than an hour from DC to charles town

[JohnnyHumongous]

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he must be a religious republican instead of a fatcat republican.

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Ah, the unholy alliance! Only in good ol' two-party USA.