I am not a huge fan of the new casinos currently being operated or those being built here in Pennsylvania.  I can appreciate the arguements for and against them, but since they're here it really does me no good to object.

    This post is in regards to clubs and their ability to raise money from 'small games of chance'.  This includes punch boards, fish bowls, and any other method of generating money where the prize given out involves cash.  

    At this time, the limit clubs are permitted to pay out is five thousand dollars per week.  For my local fire company that amounts to roughly one thousand dollars in profit which is then used to directly fund the company.  However, due to that limit the Perseverence Club now has to shut down their games on Wednesday or Thursday.  That's two or three days out of the week in which they aren't generating funds for operations.  And a fire company costs more than one thousand dollars a week to operate (even for volunteers).  

    Last fall there was a bill that passed the house to raise the pay out limit which would have benefited the local fire company here immensely.  However, it died in the senate when Senator Armstrong wouldn't allow it to leave committee.  Regardless of Senator Armstrong's opinions on gambling, this is an issue that needs to be resolved for the Perseverence in Jonestown and other fire companies around the state to continue operation.  Without that additional funding opportunity the Perseverence won't necessarily close it's doors, but it will most likely mean an increase in taxes to assist it's operation.  If that becomes the case here in Jonestown or in your own township, you can call Senator Armstrong and thank him increasing your already too high tax burden.