2. State Sen. Vince Fumo forced the issue as the budget wrapped up by attaching an amendment to unrelated legislation affecting other developments around the state that would make it more difficult for casinos to get tax breaks. But that legislation passed without the amendment and is expected to be signed into law by Rendell, removing Fumo's political leverage.
3. Fumo, who lobbed legislative threats at the casinos last week to warn them from resisting relocation efforts, is leaving the Senate before the end of his term to prepare for his federal trial on corruption charges in September.
4. State Rep. Dwight Evans joined Fumo's call for relocation because he was frustrated with the issue intruding on unrelated legislation. But Evans is reluctant to threaten stripping the casinos of their 10-year tax abatements if they refuse to move. "I'm not prepared to say that at this particular point," Evans said.
5. The casinos have said repeatedly that they have invested millions in their current locations, approved in December 2006 by the state Gaming Control Board, and will not be moved. Take our tax breaks, they warn, and we'll just spend less on improvements for the neighborhoods surrounding the casinos.
6. Where are the proposed new sites? Fumo and state Reps. Bill Keller and Mike O'Brien pushed legislation to force the casinos to locations near Philadelphia International Airport. But that violates a ban on building casinos within 10 miles of the Harrah's Chester Casino and racetrack. Such a move is also opposed by Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi of Delaware County. Mayor Nutter has called for a study on new sites, but the city has no power to force the casinos to move.
