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Dent takes a casino message to the streets

A Charlie Dent campaign billboard in Bethlehem.

BETHLEHEM—Congressman Charlie Dent (R-15) is trying to tie his opponent to a sometimes-unpopular gaming industry, arguing that he’s failed to deliver property tax reform that was supposed to come with casinos.

Dent, in a new campaign billboard here pictured above, depicts Callahan’s face in a slot machine. It asks the Bethlehem mayor:  “We got the casino, now where’s our property tax cut Mayor Callahan?”

Local property tax relief was a key selling point when state lawmakers brought legalized gaming to Pennsylvania in 2004, but local government have some leeway as to how host fees for casinos are used. The Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem opened in 2009, and Callahan identified several priorities beyond lower property taxes when he talked about host fees in 2007.

“We must do four things with our host fees,” Callahan said in his so-called State of the City address that year. “Stabilize city finances… invest in public safety and human services to ensure no negative affect from gaming… invest in our existing business districts and the marketing of all of Bethlehem, and return a financial benefit to all of our taxpayers.”

The campaign billboard is yet another play by Dent’s campaign to localize the race during an election cycle in which Republicans are more often making House contests referendums on national domestic policies. The billboard above sits atop the Hill to Hill Bridge here. Dent’s campaign did not disclose the cost, but said it would feature campaign ads for the rest of the cycle.

August 11, 2010 at 4:02 pm

--Donald Hoegg

Tags: Charlie Dent, John Callahan, PA-15

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