ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Friday, March 28, 1997 TAG: 9703280090
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-4 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: CHARLESTON, W.VA.
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
The governor and others favor gambling at The Greenbrier, for jobs and money they foresee.
A plan to let Greenbrier County voters decide whether The Greenbrier resort should have a private casino was endorsed Thursday by a subcommittee and the House Finance Committee.
The bill was sent to the West Virginia House of Delegates.
House Speaker Bob Kiss, D-Raleigh County, said he would like to have it ready for a vote by Thursday or Friday.
Kiss said the bill appears to have enough support to pass the House, but that that changes daily.
``More people have expressed support of this bill than against. At some point, I would like to vote on it even if we don't have the votes to pass it,'' he said.
The bill would let voters in Greenbrier County decide whether to allow a guests-only casino, the first of its kind in the United States, at the historic five-star hotel in White Sulphur Springs.
The resort is planning a Monte Carlo-style casino with table games such as baccarat, blackjack, poker and craps.
A House Finance subcommittee approved several amendments Thursday, including one that would funnel most of a casino's tax revenue toward the projects now paid for by lotteries, including senior citizen programs and debt service on bond issues.
The Greenbrier would have to return 22.5 percent of its gross casino revenues to local and state government.
Supporters of the bill include labor leaders, Greenbrier employees, Greenbrier County residents and the state Chamber of Commerce, all of whom say the casino would generate more year-round jobs and needed tax revenue.
Gov. Cecil Underwood has endorsed the bill because he said it would create jobs. His inaugural committee received $25,000 from The Greenbrier's owner, CSX Transportation.
While the bill has yet to hit a bump in the House, Senate Finance Chairman Oshel Craigo, D-Putnam, said it is certain to face more scrutiny in the Senate.
``If we deal with it at all, it's going to get a major overhaul,'' he said.
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