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For Immediate
Release
7/21/06
CONTACT:
PA
Senate Republican Communications
(717) 787-6725
Orie, Rafferty, Regola Urge Governor to Call
Special Session on Gambling Reform
HARRISBURG -- With
the issuing of casino gambling licenses just months away, Sen. Jane Clare Orie
(R-Allegheny), Sen. John Rafferty (R-Montgomery) and Sen. Bob Regola
(R-Westmoreland) today urged Gov. Ed Rendell to call a Special Session of the
Legislature to enact long-delayed gambling law reforms.
In a
letter to the governor, the senators wrote: "In less than three months,
it is anticipated that the Gaming Control Board will be issuing the
first of the fourteen casino gambling licenses provided for in Act
71 of 2004. Before the Board takes this action, it is vital that the
needed reforms to Pennsylvania's gambling law be passed by the General
Assembly and signed into law."
The
senators further wrote: "Reforms are needed to the gambling law to
establish public trust and confidence in the process being used to award
the casino licenses, and to ensure that fraud, corruption, and criminal
activity do not occur. It is imperative that the General Assembly, in
cooperation with the Governor's Office, work together for these
reforms. And, as you know, consideration of the reforms which have the
overwhelming support of members of the General Assembly have been held
hostage to extraneous issues that do not impact how gambling is
implemented on a statewide basis."
Among
the delayed reforms is a provision in Senate Bill 862 -- introduced 10
months ago -- that would prohibit public officials from having a
financial interest in gambling or gambling-related entities. The
current gambling law, Act 71 of 2004, allows for politicians to hold a
one-percent interest.
"The
public has expressed its outrage and has demanded that this provision be
changed. Unfortunately, since its original introduction,
Senate Bill 862 has grown exponentially from a few pages, to 100 pages
of reforms, technical corrections, and substantive changes to Act 71,"
the senators wrote.
Other
reforms included in Senate Bill 862 would require prospective board
employees to undergo drug testing, would prohibit nepotism, and would
clarify conflict of interest and recusal procedures for board members.
"However, the necessary reforms contained in Senate Bill 862 have not
been enacted because this bill also contains extraneous and
controversial provisions that may not improve the law. In addition, an
omnibus amendment that was prepared during budget negotiations includes
provisions which appear to be designed to appease various political
interests or to address concerns of individual casino license
applicants," the senators wrote.
The
senators pointed out that a Special Session of the Legislature on
Gambling Reform would allow legislators to carefully examine and
evaluate each proposed change. The session would also provide a public
forum for the proposed changes, ensuring the public has full access to
information and the ability to comment.
The
senators concluded: "Needed reforms to the Commonwealth's gambling law
must be enacted prior to the awarding of the casino licenses. As
Governor, it is incumbent upon you to call for a Special Session of the
Legislature, to be convened in early September. Only through this venue
can the General Assembly and the Governor's Office instill confidence in
our constituents -- the voters of the Commonwealth who elected us to
represent them -- that gambling will be introduced in Pennsylvania free
of unnecessary political influence, corruption or criminal activity."
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