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Rendell's Threatened Veto of Gaming Fix Ignores
Deficiencies of New Law
Piccola Calls Changes Essential for Pennsylvania’s New Industry
HARRISBURG -- Senate
Majority Whip Jeff Piccola (R-15) applauded the General Assembly’s passage of
Senate Bill 1209, a bill which provides several necessary fixes to the state’s
gaming law. At the same time, Piccola said that Governor Rendell’s threat to
veto the legislation represents “another failure” to ensure that the law
properly protects Pennsylvanians.
“Whether you agree with the expansion of gambling or
not, everyone agrees that it needs to be done right. That’s what the General
Assembly has tried to do. Unfortunately the Governor’s threatened veto will
force Pennsylvania to continue to live with the problems and weaknesses of the
gaming law,” said Piccola.
In a November 20th memo to members of House and
Senate leaders attempting to explain his reasons for a veto, Rendell stated:
“While I believe this framework is adequate, I support the original objectives
of this legislation to clarify the role of law enforcement agencies to safeguard
the integrity of gaming activities in the Commonwealth; to guarantee public
openness of Gaming Board deliberations; and to strengthen the public official
financial interest prohibitions that were intended to ensure public confidence
and prevent improper influence.”
“He currently has before him a bill that includes
all the items on his ever-changing laundry list -- prohibiting financial
interest in gaming facilities by elected officials and more importantly,
ensuring our law enforcement officials including the Attorney General has
authority to deal with any gambling-related problems that may arise. We gave
him what he asked for -- what more is there? This is just another example of
his changing priorities and lack of leadership,” Piccola added.
In addition to including a provision that bans
elected officials and appointed state, local, and party officials from holding
any financial interest in gambling venues, final passage of the gaming
legislation also incorporated a host of other law enforcement provisions. Some
amendments were sponsored by Piccola, including a “sunshine amendment” to open
the Gaming Control Board’s meetings to the public and language to expand the
power of the Attorney General to prosecute crimes associated with gaming.
Advocating for the prevention and protection of
organized crime to the state’s new industry, Piccola explained that these
changes would make Pennsylvania’s new law much better and fulfill the commitment
made by gambling proponents. “When the gaming legislation was initially
adopted and signed into law in July, the public was assured that we would have
the toughest oversight and most regulated industry in the nation. After
everyone had more time to review the law, we found areas that needed to be
strengthened before any license is considered or granted,” he added.
“The enactment of these new reform provisions passed
by the Legislature is a necessary first step in cleaning up our new gaming law.
If signed into law, Senate Bill 1209 would ensure one of the strongest gaming
laws in the country by permitting the active involvement of the state’s top law
enforcement official in licensing, enforcement, and prosecution,” said Piccola.
“Some of the Governor’s superfluous reasons for
vetoing this bill, such as delaying property tax reform and giving local
municipalities more say in the building of the gaming facilities, do not rise to
the level of a gubernatorial veto. We also included language to protect the
lottery fund from future shortfalls to ensure that the expansion of gambling
does not jeopardize existing programs for seniors. He continues to both deceive
the public on these issues while giving them false hope that Pennsylvania’s
property taxes will be significantly reduced,” he said.
Piccola added, “The original law denied local
municipalities any voice in the process of expanding gaming in their areas.
Senate Bill 1209 would allow local officials more opportunities to be heard.”
“By the Governor threatening to use his executive
power to veto this bill, he demonstrates that he is being disingenuous.
Once again, he has shown that he will promise one thing but do another. I
encourage everyone to contact the Governor’s Office (1-800-932-0784) to let him
know that you support Senate Bill 1209 and its provisions to strengthen
Pennsylvania’s new gaming law,” said Piccola.
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