Analysts: Tax relief may take a while

HARRISBURG (AP) -- Even if the Pennsylvania Legislature approves gambling-financed property-tax cuts next week, homeowners should not expect significantly lower tax bills for at least a couple of years, maybe longer.
Appointing a gambling commission, setting up its offices and rules, and deciding who should get gambling licenses are just a few of the steps toward building parlors for the 61,000 slot machines that the Legislature seems poised to legalize next week.
But building the slots business up to the point where it generates the $1 billion a year that proponents hope to funnel into property-tax relief will take longer, according to gambling analysts and lawmakers. Exactly how long is unclear.
Also unresolved are the details of a companion bill to distribute the tax-relief money among school districts, which lawmakers also hope to pass before they break for summer recess.