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For Immediate
Release
8/9/06
CONTACT:
PA
Senate Republican Communications
(717) 787-6725
Eliminating Suppliers is a Key Gambling
Reform
State Senate Has Acted Decisively on Reform
Senate
President Pro Tempore Robert C. Jubelirer (R-30) issued a statement on
the continuing dispute over gambling reform legislation:
Last
week, Senator Brightbill and I called on Governor Rendell to provide
legislators with the specifics of a comprehensive gambling reform
package that he would sign. At this point, the only thing certain is
that the Governor vetoed an earlier reform package, in part because he
was clearly committed to keeping the supplier mandate intact. We can
put together the legislative support necessary to pass a reform law. It
is doubtful we can gather the two-thirds vote necessary to override a
veto. So it is important that legislators and the public find out where
the Governor stands now. When he indicates what he will sign, our Rules
Committee will hold a public hearing on the measure, because
Pennsylvanians must be assured that this time it is done right.
The
Governor is not alone in sending conflicting signals on the issue of
gambling reforms. In March, the House went both ways on the supplier
issue – on the same day. First, the House took action to eliminate
suppliers; then the House changed its mind and decided to keep suppliers
in the law. So we need to hear where the House stands on the vital
issue of eliminating suppliers or, at a minimum, making them optional.
The
House also needs to take a clear-cut position on a couple of
controversial
items –
the scope of recusal for board members to prevent conflicts of interest,
and whether there will be any limitation on the number of machines
provided by a single manufacturer.
Senate
Republicans have long been on record saying that the supplier provisions
are susceptible to corruption, and we have now passed two bills (the one
the Governor vetoed, plus Senate Bill 1230 of this session – which is
prime-sponsored by Senator Jane Orie) to address that issue.
The
Senate Republican caucus is absolutely committed to enacting real
gambling reform. When the other players determine what they are for, we
then can move to bring this debate to a proper conclusion from the
public standpoint.
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