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[ Friday, March 23, 2007 ]

Letter to the Editor
Pittsburgh Slots License would stop turnpike issues

Pennsylvania and Gov. Rendell could have easily avoided selling the turnpike to a private company to fix our 'extremely challenged' roads if the State Gaming Board would have awarded the Pittsburgh Slots License to the right bid of Ilse of Capri (IOC). Instead, the state basically turned down more than $500 million. This included the $290 million IOC would have paid up front for the 'public' arena and the $225 million the state will pay over the next 30 years. This may be the first time in history I think a government turned down so much money. That $225 million would have gone a long way in helping to fix our roads. Now, I know that $225 million is supposed to be for economic investments and not roads, but in the end it would be an economic investment for every person who uses the turnpike. When the state sells the turnpike, toll prices will go up and everyone will pay for the new arena in Pittsburgh. But, I guess Ed Rendell just can't understand this. And, by the time he does realize it, we will have a new governor and he will be living in his beach house in New Jersey.

Chuck Knight
junior - economics
 



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