A measure that would provide the gaming industry with an 83-million-dollar tax break over the next five years is awaiting debate on the Senate floor after a Senate Committee approved the bill. The legislation allows each casino to distribute five-million dollars in free promotional play wagers without having to pay taxes and the casinos use those play wager as a marketing tool to attract customers. Alexandria Senator Jay Luneau expressed his support.
A House committee has approved a bill that would result in the state sending 250-dollar checks to some front-line employees who were required to work when the coronavirus pandemic hit Louisiana. Shreveport Representative Sam Jenkins says front line workers, first responders, healthcare, and childcare workers who earn less than 50-thousand dollars a year will be eligible, and the cash will help stimulate local economies.
Cut 7 (07) “…bills and expenses”
A UL Lafayette economics professor warns our economic recovery from the COVID recession could drag well into 2022. Gary Wagner says if the pandemic had not hit it is likely we would have experienced a minor economic slowdown, but because of COVID-19, we’re now looking at historic long-term job losses.
The numbers are out regarding casino revenue in the month of May and the grand total is $70 million. While that’s down from the nearly $218 million at the same time last year, Casino Association of Louisiana executive director Wade Duty says the numbers are a positive indicator for the state’s gaming industry, considering all of the hurdles they faced.