SB 213 by Senator Sharon Hewitt of Slidell came before the Senate Judiciary B Committee yesterday.
This bill provides for a referendum election in St. Tammany Parish relative to riverboat gaming. This bill is one of several steps needed to allow voters in St. Tammany to decide this fall if they want a gaming resort in Slidell. Hewitt introduced the idea, faced questions from colleagues, then gave way as some opposed to the idea were given time to speak.
Last night, the developer, P2E, hosted an informational event at Slidell’s Municipal Auditorium. About 150 people attended the event and some within the crowd were clearly for the proposal and some were against.
The concept will have to navigate the politics of Baton Rouge, then get back through the St Tammany Parish Council before it can be voted on by the citizens of St Tammany. Hewitt said the loose plan would be for that to happen some time in October.
