Negotiations over a bill that would have given casinos incentives to invest in non-gambling tourism developments foundered Thursday and the bill died.
But legislators said they hope Gov. Haley Barbour will include the issue in a special session. It appears Barbour will call a special session to resolve Medicaid deficits in the budget lawmakers passed this week, and also issues involving the Mississippi Department of Employment Security. Neither will likely be handled before Saturday, which is when the regular 2008 session is to end.
House Bill 1196, sponsored by Rep. Diane Peranich, D-Pass Christian, passed the House on Thursday by a 79-40 vote, but anti-casino factions in the Senate could not be appeased, and the incentives bill died on the calendar. She said some have estimated the bonuses offered through the measure would promptly bring about $800 million in new investment from casino companies.
Magnolia Tribune
