MGM Resorts strikes agreement to build casino at National Harbor near nation’s capital (Baltimore: appointed, schools)

[North Beach Person]

Originally Posted by pgtitans

Yeah that doesn't make a lot of sense. I wonder why aren't other news sources talking about this?

They are, at least the Baltimore ones are, which also cover Anne Arundel County and Maryland Live!.

[adelphi_sky]

Originally Posted by North Beach Person

Adelphi, what was the base zoning for the Cafritz property? Was it zoned for what was approved or was it bought and then had the developer bait and switch pulled?

If the 2nd, then those residents nearby who were protesting had a *****. If not, then they didn't.

The original zoning was for single family residences. No retail, no offices, no hotel. The main bone that the protesting residences bring up are density and traffic. That's understandable. It is also interesting to see if Cafritz used Whole Foods to get the zoning changed and then when construction starts, Whole Foods backs out while the developer ends up with what they wanted in the first place.

I know it may be hard to justify such a development within an area zoned for single family when there are so many empty pads and spaces around the metro stations, and I understand how someone may feel when their level of expectations are decreased after investing so much into their home and community.

Let's continue this discussion here as not to hijack this thread.

[UrbanScholar]

So the big dance starts tomorrow with the House vote. They made some big changes which will probably help pass it. I do feel that if they reduced the taxes for AA and Bmore that they should have reduced PGC to allow the licensee the opportunity to do more marketing or hire more people but I am assuming that the final bill hill at least allow them to appeal down the road. I say this because the legislators are assuming that the PGC Casino's revenue/market share will remain the same for the life of its existence. I also feel that not allowing PGC to have table games in the interim shows a bias but, on the flip side, it could build greater greater momentum/anticipation for the sixth site. We will see.

Gambling bill moves to House floor | Maryland Daily Record

[adelphi_sky]

Originally Posted by UrbanScholar

I also feel that not allowing PGC to have table games in the interim shows a bias but, on the flip side, it could build greater greater momentum/anticipation for the sixth site.

Hmmmm. Some of us know what those words used to mean. Bias my left toe! We're all counties of Maryland. You'd think PGC killed someone's puppy. I mean why the hate? You know? They know PGC is not the strongest county in the country in terms of commercial revenue. Yet, they want to keep hindering the progress. I tell you, in this country, as rich as we are, we still act like crabs in a barrel. PGC is Cinderella. There shouldn't be any bias. If one county does well, all counties benefit.

[UrbanScholar]

Originally Posted by adelphi_sky

Hmmmm. Some of us know what those words used to mean. Bias my left toe! We're all counties of Maryland. You'd think PGC killed someone's puppy. I mean why the hate? You know? They know PGC is not the strongest county in the country in terms of commercial revenue. Yet, they want to keep hindering the progress. I tell you, in this country, as rich as we are, we still act like crabs in a barrel. PGC is Cinderella. There shouldn't be any bias. If one county does well, all counties benefit.

I agree and to be honest that was my first thought but in trying to take the higher road I want to believe that the ulterior motive is not that base. It does seem that PGC is being treated like a step child in this scenario. Del Ivey made a great point that the condition for providing a tax break is unclear and the way it is phrased, they could attribute any shift in the market as a reduction in their revenues due to PGC's casino. Also, I still am trying to wrap my head around the sliding tax breaks which have broader implications than just giving more money to the operators. Bottom line the less money that PGC's casino has available the fewer jobs they will be able to provide, whatever jobs they may have could run the risk of having salaries on the lower end of the range, and less money for capital improvements, marketing, etc. I also don't see how equitable it is for PGC to be floating around 60% and the others having the chance to reduce their tax burden to 49%Hopefully this commission that they are standing up will have the flexibility of adjusting that issue.

[adelphi_sky]

Originally Posted by UrbanScholar

I agree and to be honest that was my first thought but in trying to take the higher road I want to believe that the ulterior motive is not that base. It does seem that PGC is being treated like a step child in this scenario. Del Ivey made a great point that the condition for providing a tax break is unclear and the way it is phrased, they could attribute any shift in the market as a reduction in their revenues due to PGC's casino. Also, I still am trying to wrap my head around the sliding tax breaks which have broader implications than just giving more money to the operators. Bottom line the less money that PGC's casino has available the fewer jobs they will be able to provide, whatever jobs they may have could run the risk of having salaries on the lower end of the range, and less money for capital improvements, marketing, etc. I also don't see how equitable it is for PGC to be floating around 60% and the others having the chance to reduce their tax burden to 49%Hopefully this commission that they are standing up will have the flexibility of adjusting that issue.

There's no basis whatsoever. I mean do you do that with any other business? Do PG businesses get more tax breaks because they are in a county with fewer major corporations and commercial revenue? Nope. So, what gives/ Why should PGC have to have such constrictions? I mean damn. You'd think everyone woud say it was about time PGC came into its own. But no, can't let PGC get too uppity. People even balked at Maryland Housing moving from Anne Arundel to PGC. HHS slapped us in the face even though we had cheaper rates and locations on top of metro stations. Yet, this deal is all PGC and they want to say, "Well, no, no, non. That's too much for you. You can't have all that. We never thought you could attract such major players. So, we're going to restrict you so that you can't get the full benefits like we get with out casinos."

Call me jaded. But this is getting ridiculous.

[UrbanScholar]

Originally Posted by adelphi_sky

There's no basis whatsoever. I mean do you do that with any other business? Do PG businesses get more tax breaks because they are in a county with fewer major corporations and commercial revenue? Nope. So, what gives/ Why should PGC have to have such constrictions? I mean damn. You'd think everyone woud say it was about time PGC came into its own. But no, can't let PGC get too uppity. People even balked at Maryland Housing moving from Anne Arundel to PGC. HHS slapped us in the face even though we had cheaper rates and locations on top of metro stations. Yet, this deal is all PGC and they want to say, "Well, no, no, non. That's too much for you. You can't have all that. We never thought you could attract such major players. So, we're going to restrict you so that you can't get the full benefits like we get with out casinos."

Call me jaded. But this is getting ridiculous.

It definitely is. They are basically trying to circumvent free enterprise. Whatever changes they make have to be second by the Senate. Hopefully they (Miller) will put in a few conditions prior to signing off on it wholesale. It appears that we are not alone in our opinion on the tax distribution.Check out some of the comments on this story. http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/...f48_story.html

[North Beach Person]

Why is PG treated differently? Constant mismanagement and corruption that never ends. Even the guy that comes in to clean things up (Johnson) goes to Club Fed. School officials brought in to make things work take bribes (Hornsby). The guy brought in to fix that quits when it turns out his EdD is questionable (Deasey). His HR head resigns after a hit and run/DUI/assault on a police officer (Schilling) after putting the school system through a federal probe and multi-million dollar fine for violation of visa regulations of foreign teachers.

[UrbanScholar]

Originally Posted by North Beach Person

Why is PG treated differently? Constant mismanagement and corruption that never ends. Even the guy that comes in to clean things up (Johnson) goes to Club Fed. School officials brought in to make things work take bribes (Hornsby). The guy brought in to fix that quits when it turns out his EdD is questionable (Deasey). His HR head resigns after a hit and run/DUI/assault on a police officer (Schilling) after putting the school system through a federal probe and multi-million dollar fine for violation of visa regulations of foreign teachers.

Different in regards to this bill. Their justification for the tiered tax rate is shakey and it taxing the proposed PG casino the most to provide aid to the others. In business there are many variables as to why revenues drop. I'm this scenario they are stating that any decline is attributed to the PG casino which is not fair. This bill in its current form will probably pass it may be a moot point. As for PG's Other issues although concerns are not relevant to this thread.

[UrbanScholar]

New revenue projections based off modifications made by the House WBFF FOX45 - Maryland News