How Do You Feel About the Casino Bill?

Submitted by state Rep. David Murotake of Nashua:

How do you feel about the casino bill?

On Wednesday, April 30, the NH State House will vote on the "Casino Bill" SB366. Approved by the Senate, the House Ways and Means Committee recommended killing the bill on a close vote of 11-9. 

The majority opinion believes this bill is similar to one previously killed by the House and is a bad deal for New Hampshire. It reimburses charities for lost charitable gaming revenue, limits the size of live entertainment, and shares slot revenues with host communities, counties and Department of Health and Human Services. This bill would create two casinos – a big one and a smaller one.

The minority believes SB366 is dramatically different from its predecessor. Recently, a Superior Court decision ruled unconstitutional a law on the Medicaid Enterprise Tax, creating a $200 million revenue “hole.” S&P lowered the state’s outlook for its general obligation bonds to “negative from stable,” citing the state’s “thin financial position” and consequent loss of “flexibility to withstand” the loss of MET revenue. The minority feels this job-creating, revenue-producing bill should be passed.

Please let your State Rep(s) know how you feel about this important revenue bill. There is an online guide on finding your State Representatives here: www.gencourt.state.nh.us/house/members

If you live in Nashua’s Fifth Ward (voting at Main Dunstable School), I am one of your three State Reps. You can contact me directly:

- By mail, at: REP David Murotake, 17 Portchester Drive, Nashua NH 03062
- By email at: david.murotake@leg.state.nh.us
- By phone, at: 889-4568

– David Murotake O.C.D.S., PhD
NH State Representative (Nashua Ward 5, Hillsborough 32, STE)
Chair Curriculum & Evaluation, Nashua School Board