PITTSBURGH (AP) – Pittsburgh’s mayor says the city has reached a deal to receive $10 million in gambling tax money through next year from the Rivers Casino.
Mayor Bill Peduto says Wednesday the deal means the city won’t have to cut police and firefighter recruit classes, 20 new paramedic hires, 40 parks workers and 25 percent of its public works employees.
The state Supreme Court ruled in September that the formula that determines how much casinos must pay their host communities was unconstitutional. Although state lawmakers are expected to come up with a new, legal funding formula next year, cities that play host to casinos have had to work out interim funding agreements or risk cutting services.
Casino general manager Craig Clark says, “We’re proud to support our hometown.”
Copyright 2016 The Associated Press.
