I've been very vocal about my support for a casino in downtown Jackson, I 100% believe it's that it's going to take that type of development to salvage what's left of downtown after the last 30+ years of far-left, ultra-progressive Democrat, super majority control of Jackson. I still believe the delegations that represent the current casino cities will never allow it and I don't understand why we continue to pander to them. The majority of the casino's customers come from the tri-county area, so the tri-county area should benefit in the economic boom that comes from the casinos. Competition is good for everyone, it's not our responsibility to keep Vicksburg's casinos afloat.

JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) -A Mississippi House committee looking at ways to revitalize the capital city is going beyond blight discussions. They’re being given details of a plan that could have you sitting at a slot machine within a mile of the State Capitol. A group of five businessmen, including former Governor Haley Barbour are making their pitch to lawmakers that they believe can help reverse the economic trends of the capital city. “And that is a casino,” said William Richardson, one of the five members of the Capital City Forward Together team. But the idea brings forward plenty of questions. First, the location. “We are recommending a mile or so of the capitol that brings the jobs, that brings the people,” explained Richardson. “It restores the core of our city.” However, the group makes a few things clear: they don’t think it needs to be limited to a specific site. “Why we don’t come and say here’s the best site, we’re not qualified,” noted Richardson. “A casino company that’s paying the bill, they’re going to look at what their costs are.” And they are not recommending lawmakers put any state money into it. “We are not asking and I would discourage this committee, the whole legislature, you don’t need to give a casino any tax money,” added Richardson. “You don’t need to invest in it. They got the money.” So, why even come to the legislature with the proposal? The state law would need to be amended to allow for authorization of a casino in Jackson. Under this group’s proposal, they think only one should be licensed, and it should be with a current operator in the state. The final piece of their request would require the developer to pay an annual $10 million “Impact fee.” “Which is a secret way of saying you’re going to help fund additional growth,” said Richardson. It would operate as a revolving loan fund for others looking to invest in the city. “We have this opportunity sitting in front of us to do something about all this and bring in economic development without asking the taxpayers for a dollar,” added Richard McNeel, one of the five businessmen offering the proposal. The discussions will continue when the session begins next month.