216 years and counting

I think Pennsylvania needs a new state motto:

216 years as America’s most corrupt state!

Hey, with perpetually losing sports teams, a collapsing economy and some of the highest taxes in the Union we ought to be numero uno in something right?

To cement our status and thoroughly earn our new slogan we’ve now legalized 61,000 slot machines – making Pennsylvania second only to Nevada for the number of slots installed. As if that wasn’t good enough check out how our legislators wrote this big bonanza bill:

• The licenses for slots are being basically given away. For a $50 million one-time fee you can get your very own license to print money. An auction could bring in $300 million or more.
• Legislators – the same folks cramming this supposed panacaea down our throats – can own up to a 1 percent stake in any operation. Based on revenue estimates, that’s real money. Likely in the tens of millions. A pretty sweet deal for pressing the Yes button.
• The positions on the new gaming review board are appointed by the same legislators/potential owners who put the whole mechanism into place. Let’s put two and two together, shall we? Legislators who are apparently unconcerned with the people appointing a board with no ties to the people operating an industry well known for corruption and predatory practices. It sounds better and better all the time, doesn’t it?
• But it’s all right, you say. We’re all going to get our cut of the mountains of dough, right? Nah. This is Pennsylvania after all. Theoretically we’re due for property tax relief but not until “the state takes in at least $900 million, which is more than Nevada and New Jersey receive annually.”

So, what do we have here?

A) A chance at a stake in a stupdenously lucrative industry.
B) Sweet patronage jobs to be handed out.
C) Coffers filling with coin.
D) Bupkis

Now match the above with the beneficiaries:

1) State Legislators
2) The Governor, Speaker of the House and Caucus heads
3) Track and betting parlor owners
4) The citizens of Pennsylvania

I made it easy for you.