Gaming companies say thank you to Harry Reid in bright lights
Las Vegas Sun, 3/11/10 - Las Vegas gaming companies were showing in a very public way their appreciation to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid for his role in ushering tourism legislation through Congress.
A number of Strip casinos, including MGM Mirage and Harrah's properties, have this week placed messages on their marquees thanking Reid for the bill, signed last week by President Barack Obama. "Thank you Senator Reid for your help in passing the Travel Promotions Act," read Bally's video marquee Wednesday.
The bill establishes a national tourism promotion agency within the Commerce Department to market U.S. destinations to visitors from abroad. The agency would be funded by a $10-per-person visa fee.
The legislation had been in the works since the country experienced a decline in overseas visitors following the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. The travel industry estimates the country lost more than 600,000 overseas visitors a year, contributing to economic troubles in Las Vegas and other tourism-centric regions.
Estimates are the bill will create 40,000 jobs nationwide in the first year.
Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority President and CEO Rossi Ralenkotter gave a presentation Tuesday to its members on the impact of the bill. During the meeting, MGM Mirage and Harrah's representatives said they were going to show their appreciation to the Nevada delegation at all of their properties.
"This is a very, very important piece of legislation," MGM Mirage spokesman Alan Feldman said Wednesday. "It just simply never would have got across the finish line without Reid championing it. In the end, he got it done."
Reid, who faces a tough re-election race, didn't ask for the acknowledgment, according to his spokesman, Jon Summers.
It does, however, echo the case Reid is trying to make — that his clout in Washington benefits the state in many ways.
"Senator Reid is very grateful for their efforts in spreading the word," Reid's spokesman Jon Summers said today. "This bill is going to create thousands of jobs and that's why he pushed it through the Senate."
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Gaming companies say thank you to Harry Reid in bright lights
Las Vegas Sun, 3/11/10 - Las Vegas gaming companies were showing in a very public way their appreciation to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid for his role in ushering tourism legislation through Congress.
A number of Strip casinos, including MGM Mirage and Harrah's properties, have this week placed messages on their marquees thanking Reid for the bill, signed last week by President Barack Obama. "Thank you Senator Reid for your help in passing the Travel Promotions Act," read Bally's video marquee Wednesday.
The bill establishes a national tourism promotion agency within the Commerce Department to market U.S. destinations to visitors from abroad. The agency would be funded by a $10-per-person visa fee.
The legislation had been in the works since the country experienced a decline in overseas visitors following the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. The travel industry estimates the country lost more than 600,000 overseas visitors a year, contributing to economic troubles in Las Vegas and other tourism-centric regions.
Estimates are the bill will create 40,000 jobs nationwide in the first year.
Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority President and CEO Rossi Ralenkotter gave a presentation Tuesday to its members on the impact of the bill. During the meeting, MGM Mirage and Harrah's representatives said they were going to show their appreciation to the Nevada delegation at all of their properties.
"This is a very, very important piece of legislation," MGM Mirage spokesman Alan Feldman said Wednesday. "It just simply never would have got across the finish line without Reid championing it. In the end, he got it done."
Reid, who faces a tough re-election race, didn't ask for the acknowledgment, according to his spokesman, Jon Summers.
It does, however, echo the case Reid is trying to make — that his clout in Washington benefits the state in many ways.
"Senator Reid is very grateful for their efforts in spreading the word," Reid's spokesman Jon Summers said today. "This bill is going to create thousands of jobs and that's why he pushed it through the Senate."
Read the whole article
