$1.7M in casino funds coming
Money will be used for county parks, nonprofit agencies
HARRISBURG » Rep. Marcy Toepel, R-147th Dist., recently announced that $1.7 million of Valley Forge Casino money will benefit Montgomery County parks and nonprofits beginning Jan. 1.
Toepel has been advocating for a change in state law for years to earmark the money for specific projects.
“This has been a long road, but truly one of the more satisfying moments of my tenure in Harrisburg. Despite the difficulties associated with instituting a change like this, knowing how well the money would be used to benefit local residents — especially children who experienced abuse — always motivated me,” Toepel said.
Currently, revenue from Valley Forge Casino is not distributed for the benefit of Montgomery County as is done for all other counties that host a resort casino per the Pennsylvania Race Horse Development and Gaming Act, Act 71
of 2004. Instead, revenue is currently spent without any influence at the county government level.
“I am pleased the state House and Senate have voted to give Montgomery County local control over a portion of the gaming revenue generated in our county. This new revenue will go directly to supporting our parks and trails, which attract nearly 2.5 million visitors a year,” said Val Arkoosh, chairwoman
of the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners.
Beginning in January, the county’s seven parks, four historic sites and 91 miles of hiking trails will receive 75 percent of Montgomery County’s local share assessment for slots and table games for the purpose of maintenance and refurbishment. Laurel House and Mission Kids, nonprofits that assist local families in need, will each receive 12.5 percent.
The quarterly payments are expected to amount to $1.2 million for the parks and $210,000 each for Laurel House and Mission Kids annually. Given recent expansions
of both Laurel House and Mission Kids to accommodate the county’s increasing needs for services, the money comes at an ideal time.
“The board members and staff of Laurel House are deeply grateful to Rep. Toepel for her tireless efforts to secure this funding in support of the people we serve throughout Montgomery County. We are also very appreciative of the support provided by the county commissioners throughout this process. This funding will help to ensure that Laurel House will be able to continue to meet the needs of the people and communities throughout our county who are affected by domestic violence and abuse,” said Beth Sturman, executive director of Laurel House.
Laurel House works to end domestic violence with access to trained professionals via a 24/7 hotline, housing and training for the public.
Mission Kids provides interviews for child victims without intimidating interrogation techniques that can further traumatize them. Unlike interviews conducted by other groups and individuals, those completed by Mission Kids can be used in court.
“Mission Kids is so grateful to Rep. Toepel and the Montgomery County Commissioners for all of their time and perseverance in
securing this money for the benefit of all of our citizens and the most vulnerable of our victims,” said Abbie Newman, chief executive officer of Mission Kids. “This additional support will allow Mission Kids to continue providing and increasing our cutting edge services to put the abused children of our county and their non-offending caregivers on the road to healing faster. They are true heroes.”
Act No. 42 will also regulate and tax internet gaming, video gaming terminals at truck stops and fantasy contests.