Hollywood Slots dispute rages on Revenue hike damaging to state

A legislative proposal to increase the state's share of revenuesfrom Hollywood Slots at Bangor is raising eyebrows in the local andnational business communities, where experts say the move couldseriously damage Maine's reputation as a place to do business.

"This has a dramatic, chilling effect for companies outside Maineand inside Maine looking to invest," said Maine State Chamber ofCommerce President Dana Connors. "People will say we can't depend ona [state] contract. That worries us. ... Without investment, we'renot going to grow our economy."

Last week, Democratic lawmakers on the Legislature'sAppropriations Committee suggested increasing the state's share ofgross …