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Tuesday, May 30, 2023

Gaming Taxes Fund $3.9 Million in Local Projects

Once upon a time, Northampton County had its own nine-person Gaming Board to dole out locally generated slots revenue. It was un unenviable task because they were required to give priority to communities surrounding Bethlehem. Those communities had to show "impact," but that word was left undefined.  Eventually, our betters from the land of midnight payraises decided local boards were getting too much control over large amounts of money. They changed the Gaming Law so that the Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA), a creature of the state legislature and Governor, would hand out the awards. That way your state representatives can issue news releases and pat himself on the back when these grants are awarded.   

On May 16, the CFA  decided on its latest awards. Lehigh Valley communities received nearly $4 million in grants from one of two buckets identified below. Most of the money went for laudable municipal projects. I have problems with two awards in Bethlehem and Allentown. 

Given that Bethlehem already receives a host fee every year, I think it's inappropriate to award additional money to the city or a city authority. Yet Bethlehem Economic Development Corp. was awarded $417k for "property acquisition." 

I also question why we'd spend nearly $38,000 to teach Allentown's kids how to fight when there are numerous other sports that involve no physical contact.

Monroe County Gaming Grants, Contiguous Counties

Allen Township Replacement of Backhoe Northampton $125,122
Bangor Borough Bangor Borough Salt Shed Northampton $89,609
Bethlehem Economic Development Corporation Property Acquisition Northampton $239,681
Bethlehem Township CPR device purchase Northampton $18,775
Bethlehem Township defibrillator purchase Northampton $37,733
Bethlehem Township police vehicle purchases Northampton $75,000
Bethlehem Township stretcher loading system purchase Northampton $28,310
Bushkill Township Cooperative Road Improvement Equipment Acquisition Northampton $39,608
Bushkill Township Heavy Rescue Truck Cab & Chassis Northampton $25,000
East Allen Township Rapid Response Vehicle Northampton $165,000
Easton City P25 Radios for the Easton Fire Department Northampton $60,682
Freemansburg Community Amphitheater Seating and ADA Accommodations Northampton $51,000
Hanover Township Police Vehicle & Upfitting Northampton $54,311
Hellertown Borough Reinhard's Park Improvements Northampton $200,000
Lower Nazareth Township Fire Company Radios Northampton $119,669
Lower Saucon Township Easton Road Ballfield Development Northampton $394,330
Nazareth Borough Greater Valley YMCA, Nazareth Branch Building Project Northampton $100,000
Nazareth Borough License Plate Reader System Proposal Northampton $18,000
Nazareth Borough Nazareth Ambulance Power Load System Northampton $52,859
Palmer Township Mill Race Park 9/11 Trail Master Plan Northampton $75,000
Pen Argyl Borough Regional Aquatic Facility, Phase 1 LSA Northampton $64,629
Upper Nazareth Township Upper Nazareth Township Public Works Equipment Northampton $50,000
Weissport Borough WMA Sewer Tank Replacement Carbon $99,000
West Easton Borough Removal of Trestle Bridges Northampton $25,000

Lehigh and NorCo Gaming Funds

Allen Township Replacement of Backhoe Northampton $94,098
Bath Borough Bath Volunteer Fire Department Portable Radios Project Northampton $54,266
Bethlehem Economic Development Corporation Property Acquisition Northampton $177,602
Bushkill Township 2022 Bushkill Township Police Fleet Improvement Plan Northampton $41,985
Bushkill Township Heavy Rescue Truck Cab & Chassis Northampton $50,000
Easton City LIDAR Transport Van for the Easton Police and Fire Departments Northampton $30,060
Forks Township Police Officer Equipment and Safety Plan Northampton $32,485
Freemansburg Borough Community Amphitheater Seating and American Disabilities Act Accommodations Northampton $49,000
Hanover Township New Equipment - Asphalt Roller Northampton $51,458
Lower Mount Bethel Township LMBT Office Security System Northampton $7,045
Lower Nazareth Township Fire Company Radios Northampton $114,178
Lower Saucon Township Easton Road Ballfield Development Northampton $114,530
Northampton Borough Loss Prevention Security Camera System 2022 Northampton $25,300
Northampton County Glendon Hotel Site Affordable Housing Project Northampton $200,000
Palmer Township Suburban EMS- Ambulance 2022 Northampton $115,333
Pen Argyl Borough Regional Police Vehicles Northampton $57,021
Roseto Borough Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus Project Northampton $60,000
Wilson Borough Wilson Borough Community Playground Northampton $100,000
Allentown City LEHIGH VALLEY P4P BOXING, INC - Local Share Account Grant Lehigh $37,783
Emmaus Borough Seven Generations Community Amphitheater Lehigh $83,131
Lower Macungie Township Macungie Ambulance Corp Local Share Grant Lehigh $14,964
Slatington Borough Shadow Oaks Storm Water System Upgrade Lehigh $56,051
South Whitehall Township SWTPD Police Vehicles Lehigh $41,967
Weisenberg Township Portable Radar Speed Display Lehigh $11,093
Whitehall Township Mickley Prydun Farm Restoration (Phase III) Lehigh $97,619
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5 comments:

  1. AnonymousMay 30, 2023 at 12:49 PM

    On the money for Allentown, I’d note that it’s going to P4P Boxing.

    Does that stand for “Pay for Play” Boxing?

    I always have to wonder who’s getting the kickback. We are talking about Allentown.

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousMay 30, 2023 at 5:42 PM

    Notice how the Monroe county gaming tax in another county. That is pure crap and should be ended immediately.

    ReplyDelete
  3. AnonymousMay 30, 2023 at 9:32 PM

    It would appear that of the $3.9M total, Northampton County received the bulk at $3.5M ($2.1M Monroe & $1.37M L/N) and Lehigh County received a total of $343K. Maybe it is time for the Lenape Nation to host gaming at the Allentown Riverfront?

    ReplyDelete
  4. AnonymousMay 30, 2023 at 9:55 PM

    In 2017/18, direct share to Allentown was $4.24M, Bethlehem $11.63M and Easton $1.13M. Northampton County Govt receive an additional $3.28M and Lehigh County Govt received $224K. Since 2018, the annual reports no longer reveal the municipal and county share.

    ReplyDelete
  5. AnonymousMay 31, 2023 at 2:08 PM

    back along time ago WE the residents were told how wounderful the casino would.....the bullshit story continued as they promised all the residents of the City of Bethlehem our taxes would be lowered instaed we have seen more raising if taxes......promises promises.....

    ReplyDelete

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