The Ruston council voted tonight to raise the gambling tax to a flat rate of 12% rather than the current graduated scale. Point Defiance Cafe and Casino is the only business in Ruston with gaming and was paying the lowest tax rate on that scale (1%) due to very low volume so far this year.
This ordinance was scheduled for its first reading tonight. Under council rules, ordinances are required to have 2 readings at consecutive meetings. The council waived the second reading of this ordinance, so the ordinance was passed tonight without any public comment. Many casino employees attended the meeting tonight hoping to address the council during public comment at the end of the meeting prior to their final vote in 2 weeks.
The casino owner has acknowledged that he can no longer afford to operate the casino at a higher tax rate (see previous post). He says he will close the gaming portion of the business and all employees will be laid off. If he does so, any tax Ruston hoped to gain from this business will be lost.
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19 comments:
If you don't measure up to Bradley or Janes expectation as a business owner you can kiss that dream away!Watch them bend over backwards to accommidate PointRuston business applications!
And Albertsons'analysis of the effect of how front page news causes problems....yes let's keep this family problem behind closed doors. Isn't that how incest stayed hidden for so long?
You guys aren't getting it, they don't want a casino. They don't care about employees or livelihoods. They have their version of a perfect world and it ain't us. Isn't that how the nazi's started, you didn't fit in if you weren't blond haired and blue eyed? God knows what they'll leave us with. Are the pickets getting ready? I'll come.
They do not want a casino in Ruston and if for some reason the casino could afford the 12 percent tax raise they would have passed it to 20 to make sure they close down. It does bring in revenue for Ruston but I can't say that I like the idea of any casino in this town.
I understand the concern about having a casino in Ruston. I’m fairly conservative and don’t generally support these types of activities (although I wouldn’t call it money from satanic sources as others have).
But it’s not an issue of what type of business they are; it’s the fairness of how they are treated. There is no evidence that a “sin tax” is needed on this business. There is no indication that there is an extraordinary number calls for the police to this establishment. The shooting in the alley last year was not related to this business.
It should take more than rumors (that are repeatedly proven false) and pious wishes for “holy” businesses to impose this type of tax increase. We used to be a company town with lots of bars and taverns, the bluest blue-collar town in the region. It takes time, effort and fairness to make such drastic changes in our direction.
This casino is operating legally and should be allowed to continue with fair and equitable treatment by Ruston’s government. If we don’t want any more casino’s in the future, we should make the appropriate zoning code changes with the appropriate public hearings – with the change for the future, not removing a current business.
The council’s action last night is blatantly unfair and exposes the town to yet another lawsuit. Just my 2-cents worth.
when was there public comment on this issue before the vote?Does anyone have the minutes from that meeting.IF SO THEY SHOULD BE POSTED FOR EVERYONE TO READ HERE.I attended the study session(but there was no public comment allowed at that meeting)and then it was rammmed down the casinos throat at the next meeting.does the council see the economic downturn in this country or are they really that f---ing blind.gee lets raise taxes when our economy sucks.When will they pull their heads out of their a--es.hope the city has enough money for this lawsuit.and i hope the employees file a class action against the city and a council that HAS THEIR OWN AGENDA.WHEN WILL THE PEOPLE OF THIS TOWN GET THEIR HEADS OUT OF THE SAND AND RECALL THESE CITY COUNCIL PEOPLE AND GET SOME PEOPLE IN THERE THAT WILL DO GOOD THINGS FOR THIS COMMUNITY.
While I agree with much of the sentiment of the last comment, I am cautious about the name calling. Please tone it down a bit on the *** words - but do continue in the conversation.
On the recall issue, these elected officials(or appointed as half of them are) have to do something illegal in order to be recalled. Even with such evidence, it is a very lengthy, time consuming process. My guess is we'll have to wait until the next election (2009) to see if the community likes what they are doing or wants a change in direction.
Oh HOLY Danny,(albertson)since when is the "LAWYER N" business any better than other forms of ..... (insert any vice)
Oh HOLY Danny,(albertson)since when is the "LAWYER N" business any better than other forms of ..... (insert any vice)
Please put in to words what is so offensive about people playing poker?
There's no slots, roulette, or craps allowed - only the tribal casinos get those. So if somebody could please use verbage to explain what it is about the card room they don't like.
Truly 1% gambling tax is darn near doing business for free.I'm not one for raising taxes, but come on.They should be able to pay some fair share to the town.4% to 6% maybe?If it is impossible to make it at 1% then gambling may not be the right fit for Ruston.I don't know how or who they market too,but perhaps that could be a start.When they first came to the council in 05(?)their business plan pretty much spelled out failure. I tip my hat to them for making it this far.
According to the comments last night, the casino has submitted documenation that they are loosing money on the gambling portion of their business. I guess the cafe/bar is helping make up for the losses. I realize 1% is a low tax rate, but its on a negitive cash flow. Something to think about.
Any guesses who will develop the property if they run the casino out of business?
my guess is the Mag 7 group that was so successful at making money from arson.
Just for the record the casino has paid as much as 4% in taxes not only 1%. Their is a sliding scale based on the income that sets us in a bracket.
I feel sour about the whole thing for many reasons. If there was a gradual increase it would have not been so bad. This is a personal attack on the casino because we are a casino. If this was not personal then why not make a reasonable increase. Yes we are
a casino. But we are a small business and we are people. I've worked in the casino for over 8 years nows and have worked at Point Defiance Casino for 3. We do not create an unsafe environment but provide a
safer one. The Casino surveillances
the employees, patrons and property and is always staffed with security. We provide
escorts to our employees and customers. Everything we do is constantly monitored by the State Agencies therefor we are subjected to more taxes and fees compared to none gaming business. Please tell me why do you think we are so bad?
It doesn't matter who you are they don't want a casino in Ruston
For a bunch that does'nt like gambling,they sure take big chances with YOUR towns money.
You got to know when to hold'em
know when to fold'em.
know when to walk away
know when to Run!
KR.
gambling.....
Like when Jane Krock Hunt blows through a stop sign? Will I swerve to avoid her again? Do ya feel lucky today......punk!
DH
Has anyone approached sound transit to locate their headquarters here in Ruston.
This kind of uncontroled tax rate increase is just what they are looking for.
Yee Haw!
Don't stop with the casino you partakers of the Kool-Aid.
Get that evil gambling hall sucking up the meager dollars of the downtrodden masses at the corner gas station/mini mart. LOTTO is gambling, you morons. But then, y'all love to gamble with the future of Ruston and its finances.
All the casino needs is to switch out for August and Sept. Instead of gambling we can have heavy duty hard core Rock and Roll and NOT OLDIES but Goodies. I know that our mayor and council will love the new crowd. I bet $2.00 the lower taxes and better crowd will look and Sound alot better.
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