CONCORD, N.H. (AP) – New Hampshire firefighters are urging the House to pass a casino bill Wednesday to provide more revenue for state programs.
David Lang, president of the Professional Fire Fighters Of New Hampshire, said at a Statehouse news conference Monday that the state needs money to pay for mental health programs and other spending vital to public safety. He said lawmakers need to listen to the public, which is struggling in tough economic times.
“We’re trying to fund government using a 19th-century philosophy with a 20th-century tax structure in the 21st century,” said Lang.
Berlin Firefighter Roland Berthiaume said money for economic development in the casino bill is badly needed to help communities like his. He said layoffs could drop the on-duty number of firefighters in the firehouse from four to three. He said that is too few people in a city like Berlin.
The state troopers association supports the bill to raise money for the state, but the police chiefs do not.
The House votes on the Senate bill Wednesday. The bill would legalize one casino with up to 5,000 video slots and 150 table games. Gov. Maggie Hassan included $80 million from licensing the casino in her budget, but the House did not include the money in its spending plan. Hassan has lobbied hard for the House to pass the bill and the vote is expected to be very close.
The casino bill designates money for higher education, highway improvements and economic development in the North Country.
Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.
