Wednesday, September 20, 2006

As reported by the (Harrisburg) Herald-Standard: "A cleanup of the state's
two-year gambling law is becoming the most prominent issue on lawmakers
plates as they begin returning from summer recess in the next two weeks. "A
series of hearings are being held in House and Senate chambers to find
common ground on more than 40 measures to fix the 146-page law that
legalizes 61,000 slot machines for the first time in Pennsylvania. "Among
the most discussed: "Eliminating a provision that allows public officials
and their families to own up to 1 percent of gambling operations "Doing away
altogether with politically-connected slots machine middlemen. "Prohibiting
gaming board members from recommending relatives to the regulatory
commission, making political contributions, or communicating with gaming
applicants except through official channels.
"Today, Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board officials, including Chairman Tad
Decker, are scheduled to appear before a House panel to answer questions,
and likely to hear a repeated plea to suspend awarding the first set of
slots licenses to racetracks on Sept. 27.

"...A growing number of lawmakers are seeking a delay to give time for the
Legislature to pass the reform measures..."