Mississippi Casino Bill Hits Snag
JACKSON, Mississippi – As reported by the Mississippi Daily Journal: “Legislation allowing casinos on the storm-ravaged Gulf Coast to rebuild on land hit a snag Tuesday when Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Jack Gordon, through a legislative maneuver stopped the bill’s advance to Gov. Haley Barbour for his anticipated signature.
“The controversial legislation passed the Senate on Monday and the House on Friday and was expected to be sent to Barbour today. But late Tuesday afternoon Gordon, D-Okolona, held the legislation on a motion to reconsider. Before the bill can be forwarded to the governor that motion must be defeated.
“…Nine of the 13 Gulf Coast casinos now pay a tideland lease to the state because they are on state-owned land subject to the ebb and flow of the tide. Two of the casinos pay a lease to the Port of Gulfport while one leases from the city of Biloxi and the fourth is located on the Bay of Saint Louis in Hancock County on privately owned land.
“Gordon, and other senators, such as Hob Bryan, D-Amory, and Gray Tollison, D-Oxford, have questioned whether the casinos - existing one and new ones - would have to pay a tidelands lease if they are no longer located on water.
“…Gordon said as soon as an agreement can be reached on the tidelands issue the bill allowing casinos to locate on land can be released and sent to the governor. The bill dealing with the tidelands can be sent to the House to concur.
“Moak said he would work with the Senate on the issue, but said it is important to resolve the differences soon…”
October 6th, 2005 at 12:04 pm
Update!
The Senate on Wednesday passed its version of a bill that would change the terms of leases casinos pay on state-owned coastline. House Bill 44 requires casinos to pay 1 percent of their gross gaming revenues. The plan would increase the tidelands fund from $7.4 million to almost $9 million annually, Robertson said.
Looks like Biloxi Casinos will be able to be rebuilt on land. Governor should sign anytime now.