MGM Doubles Down on Lobbying as Senate Crafts Stimulus Measure

[Joanne98]

Feb. 6 (Bloomberg) -- Casino operator MGM Mirage says a tax break for forgiven debt is a good way for Congress to stimulate the U.S. economy; Granite Construction Inc. favors more money for roads and bridges; General Motors Corp. wants incentives for car buyers.

The economic recovery plan being crafted on Capitol Hill is everything from a lifeline for American businesses to provocation for an international trade war. The potential $900 billion stimulus, a single spending-and-tax package bigger than the annual gross domestic product of Mexico or Australia, has generated a lobbying frenzy.

The vast majority of lawmakers and corporate interests agree -- and the lobbying will last beyond Senate passage of its version of the stimulus bill -- that the economy needs a massive cash infusion. The question is: who gets what?

“This is one of those issues where there is a larger agenda and many, many lesser agendas,” said lobbyist Vic Fazio, a former Democratic representative from California whose clients include AT&T Inc. and Johnson & Johnson.

Las Vegas casino companies MGM and Harrah’s Entertainment Inc. are pressing their preferences with Nevada’s five-member delegation, including Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601109&sid=aL2W6p56.aMQ&refer=home

If Reid gives those casinos anything he should resign for being to stupid to be alive!

[Art_from_Ark]

1. I would imagine that any national politician from Nevada

would have to cater to the casino industry in some way, or risk losing the next election