MGM Resorts strikes agreement to build casino at National Harbor near nation’s capital (College Park: apartment, rentals)

[UrbanScholar]

First two hurdles down two more to go. It will be interesting to see what changes the House makes. IMO any tax cuts should be across the board and not tiered due to losses (free market assumes risk) but I know that they are trying to optimize votes.

Md. Senate passes Prince George’s casino bill - The Washington Post

It also appears that the senate at least does not have a warm fuzzy for Penn National given their position on additional tax cuts for Hollywood in Perryville. Penn should have held off on giving those slots back to the state and screaming foul about the process and lobbied for additional breaks

and here is the bill

http://mlis.state.md.us/2012s2/bills/hb/hb0001f.pdf

[UrbanScholar]

Okay, I just had to add this article. Does Bmore reps really think that hiring ex-cons at a casino is the wisest thing? Don't get me wrong, they need employment too but maybe not at a casino

Senate passes gaming bill; Baltimore City delegation urge Caesars to hire local residents, including ex-cons – MarylandReporter.com

[Phyxius]

Originally Posted by pgtitans

Mods,

Is there a way of blocking people on this site? Seriously...

There is a ignore feature where all post from a particular user is not seen. Go to that users profile, select user list and then select add to ignore list. The downsize is that if someone else quotes that user, you can still see their post.

[adelphi_sky]

Originally Posted by UrbanScholar

Okay, I just had to add this article. Does Bmore reps really think that hiring ex-cons at a casino is the wisest thing? Don't get me wrong, they need employment too but maybe not at a casino

Senate passes gaming bill; Baltimore City delegation urge Caesars to hire local residents, including ex-cons – MarylandReporter.com

Incredible.

[justtitans]

Originally Posted by Phyxius

There is a ignore feature where all post from a particular user is not seen. Go to that users profile, select user list and then select add to ignore list. The downsize is that if someone else quotes that user, you can still see their post.

Thank you

[Tom Lennox 70]

I think Baltimore City and PGC are very similar in terms of crime and alll, though the specific National Harbor location IS much better than the one in Baltimore City, especially since its not actually at the Inner Harbor and is in Westport, a neighborhood they are trying to "gentrify" Most of Westport is filled with crumbling housing projects and dilapidated rowhouses and is adjacent to other high crime areas like Brooklyn Park and Cherry Hill. I've always though Baltimore should have gone with riverboat type gambling in the harbor with cruises or at least have a waterfront facility where Harbor East is now.

I don't think ex-cons should be working at the casino at least not where they have to handle money. They can be janitors, busboys, line cooks there perhaps. And definiely don't want them doing valet parking!!!!!

National Harbor is also good in that there are hotel on site. Perryville and Arundel Mills do not. Yes there are hotels close by but not within walking distance for either site. I think it was a mistake to legalize gambling yet not go full force. From the beginnning, we should have focused on large resorts with hotels, free alcohol, and table games and not have so many restrictions on opening hours and numbers of slots, etc.

[molukai]

Guys, was it surprising that the casino project was approved? If it was to you, then I don't know how you survive in this world. With the amount of money at stake and the power of the stakeholders involved, MGM was in before its intent even came 'up for open discussion'. All the talks is just a political theater in order to try to lessen the blowback that of course occurred. But in the end, no amount of complaints - from the unreasonable to the rational - meant anything.

If you're still skeptical, let me ask you this: Why do you think Walt Disney abruptly pulled out and so quietly at that? The answer is because they were essentially bought out. There is no way a major family attraction can co-exist in such close quarter with an adult-oriented attraction. Since the difference in the amount of monetary in-flow between the two is no question, it is all obvious that Walt Disney had no choice but to be pushed out.

Is it for better or for worse? That's the question we should be asking. Although I would have preferred Walt Disney, the reality is that money trumps all else when it comes to finding sources of new revenue for such a cash-strapped county. I just hope that government officials, who will soon find themselves flush with cash, will actually use it for the betterment of its residents. If not, they better be prepared to move out of the way for the next generation.

[UrbanScholar]

Originally Posted by molukai

Guys, was it surprising that the casino project was approved? If it was to you, then I don't know how you survive in this world. With the amount of money at stake and the power of the stakeholders involved, MGM was in before its intent even came 'up for open discussion'. All the talks is just a political theater in order to try to lessen the blowback that of course occurred. But in the end, no amount of complaints - from the unreasonable to the rational - meant anything.

If you're still skeptical, let me ask you this: Why do you think Walt Disney abruptly pulled out and so quietly at that? The answer is because they were essentially bought out. Th ere is no way a major family attraction can co-exist in such close quarter with an adult-oriented attraction. Since the difference in the amount of monetary in-flow between the two is no question, it is all obvious that Walt Disney had no choice but to be pushed out.

Is it for better or for worse? That's the question we should be asking. Although I would have preferred Walt Disney, the reality is that money trumps all else when it comes to finding sources of new revenue for such a cash-strapped county. I just hope that government officials, who will soon find themselves flush with cash, will actually use it for the betterment of its residents. If not, they better be prepared to move out of the way for the next generation.

No it's not a surprise that it passed the senate since it passed quickly the last time. It the House that is the major concerns since its leadership is tied to Anne Arundel. That doesn't seem to be as much of an issue this time but since it came down to the wire the last time most are still taking a wait and see approach. As for Disney, the brand would have been a great add but once Disney's leadership change and with slow sales in their HI time share they decided to focus more on their more lucrative international projects like a lot of U.S. companies have done. With MGM now in the picture it will pass since that is too big of a company to let slip considering the dearth of companies entering MD.

[justtitans]

Originally Posted by molukai

Guys, was it surprising that the casino project was approved? If it was to you, then I don't know how you survive in this world. With the amount of money at stake and the power of the stakeholders involved, MGM was in before its intent even came 'up for open discussion'. All the talks is just a political theater in order to try to lessen the blowback that of course occurred. But in the end, no amount of complaints - from the unreasonable to the rational - meant anything.

This is only the beginning. They have a long way to go. Senate may have approved it, but there are many people who are against it, in the House and amongst the state residence. It's not as simple as political theater, there are real issues at state here. Anne Arundel County knows that if PG gets this site, it will hurt them a great deal. There is no way someone (well almost) from that county is going to support this legislation.

Originally Posted by UrbanScholar

No it's not a surprise that it passed the senate since it passed quickly the last time. It the House that is the major concerns since its leadership is tied to Anne Arundel. That doesn't seem to be as much of an issue this time but since it came down to the wire the last time most are still taking a wait and see approach. As for Disney, the brand would have been a great add but once Disney's leadership change and with slow sales in their HI time share they decided to focus more on their more lucrative international projects like a lot of U.S. companies have done. With MGM now in the picture it will pass since that is too big of a company to let slip considering the dearth of companies entering MD.

From a legislative standpoint sure, that makes a ton of sense, but when it comes to the people voting, MGM really doesn't mean anything. They will bring revenue, but honestly they aren't going to bring the kind of jobs this state needs. I'm skeptical of this. I wouldn't be surprised if it pass, but I think that they have a tough road ahead of them. This isn't a slam dunk.

[molukai]

UrbanScholar, the only real roadblock is Anne Arundel. But even with as much dissent as possible, there is way too much of a push for this to pass through that they will be drowned out in any meaningful way. They cannot block this, even if it was their one and only agenda. Onward to progress!

pgtitans, you are right, MGM will not bring the kind of jobs the state needs, but that was never the main factor for consideration to begin with. It's money. Lots of money. Nothing will stop this from passing, especially with MGM being headed by such a strongman. It may not look like it will be a slam dunk, but it will be. 1 million dollar bet.