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As part of a rural development incentive plan, the country has decided to increase the budget by investing $1.5 billion in three privately operated casinos. There is also a possibility that the Lumbee tribe could be responsible for managing the establishment of a fourth casino in Robertson County. This decision has sparked controversy.
In the final sessions of this year's state budget negotiations, North Carolina's legislative stage has been a scene of intense debate. A surprising proposal was seriously considered: legalizing four casinos in a limited area to boost the national budget by $30 billion.
A legislator in North Carolina plans to challenge a $15 billion national investment in building three privately operated casinos, positioned as part of a rural incentive development plan. The potential fourth casino, overseen by the Lumbee tribe, is to be located in Robertson County. Business oversight for these enterprises falls under the Department of Commerce, while the issuance of licenses is under the North Carolina Lottery Commission, as reported by Carolina Journal.
This bold move, not subject to legislative committee review, has faced a wave of opposition, especially from the voices of the Freedom Core Group led by Representative Keith Kidwell and Senator Bobby Hanig. Budget negotiations were interrupted, leading Senate and House leaders to withdraw the proposal. However, they emphasized the need for intense debate on stricter regulation of gaming options in the upcoming legislative session.
The core issue revolves around a complex financial interest network. According to early analyses, gaming groups indicate that the market potential would reach $19 billion if three new resort casinos were established in North Carolina. Each resort casino is expected to create around 3,000 jobs and generate $30 million in local tax revenue.
Major gaming companies have started making their presence felt. Maryland-based commercial real estate group Cordish Companies spearheaded efforts and successfully lobbied for the rezoning of nearly 200 acres of land in Rockingham County into an entertainment district.
Behind the scenes, the influence of lobbyists and their financial impact becomes increasingly apparent. Allegations have surfaced involving significant contributions from casinos to key state legislators, totaling over $1.4 million. However, a deeper analysis reveals that this financial impact is only a small part of the broader contributions from the gambling industry.
The power game extends from individual legislators to lobbyists, deftly navigating the legislative corridors and playing roles between gaming companies and the economic development plan NCInnovation operated by private entities.
Critics expressed surprise that NCInnovation received $500 million in specified use in the final budget, a significant reduction from the initial $1.4 billion proposal. The lobbying team's main members include Tony Copeland, former Secretary of Commerce for North Carolina, and Tracy Kimbrell, former legal counsel for Senator Phil Berger's office, operating in an evolving alliance and complex environment.
As the legislative session approaches its end, there may be a renewed wave of debate on the 2024 casino issue. Legislators, including Representative Keith Kidwell, R-Beaufort, expressed concerns about the concept of casinos themselves and the lack of transparency in the casino's entry into the budget process. |
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Post time 30-11-2023 09:40:03