April 7, 2008

Pennsylvania Senate Republican News Brief

"As long as this risky business is part of Pennsylvania, it must be better regulated.  We need to have a structure in place that is accountable for its actions and protected from criminal activity."

-- Sen. Jeffrey Piccola (R-Dauphin) unveiling legislation Monday that would strengthen Pennsylvania’s gaming law by implementing the recommendations of a grand jury investigating the crime ties of a Pennsylvania casino owner.
 

Preview

COMMITTEE TO EXAMINE HEALTH CARE CENTERS AND THE UNINSURED

Providing health care to uninsured Pennsylvanians will be the topic of a Wednesday public hearing by the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee, chaired by Sen. Ted Erickson (R-Delaware).

Specifically, the committee will hear testimony regarding community health care centers and their role in providing care for low-income and uninsured Pennsylvanians.

LONG-TERM CARE FUNDING AND THE STATE BUDGET FOCUS OF HEARING

The Senate Aging and Youth Committee, chaired by Sen. Pat Vance (R-Cumberland), will hold a public hearing Tuesday on efforts to rebalance the long-term care system in the 2008-09 state budget.

State funding for long-term health care supports skilled-nursing facilities, personal care homes and in-home services.

HEARING SCHEDULED ON PUBLIC-PRIVATE TRANSPORTATION PARTNERSHIPS

The Senate Transportation Committee, chaired by Sen. Roger Madigan (R-Bradford), will hold a public hearing Wednesday on legislation authorizing transportation authorities to enter into agreements with private sector partners to construct, operate or maintain transportation facilities.

Senate Bill 1158 does not address leasing the Pennsylvania Turnpike, but rather the broader issue of capacity, transit, technology and other improvements to Pennsylvania transportation. Public-private projects could include express lanes on existing highways, new or expanded bridges, transit facilities and other transportation improvements.   

JOINT HEARING ON MULTI-MUNICIPAL PLANNING AND SHARED SERVICES

The Senate Urban Affairs and Housing Committee, chaired by Sen. John Pippy (R-Allegheny), and the Senate Local Government Committee, chaired by Sen. Bob Regola (R-Westmoreland), will hold a joint hearing on multi-municipal planning and shared services on Thursday in Greensburg.

The hearing will focus on best practices at the local level, current state efforts to promote intergovernmental cooperation, and recommendations on how the state can further encourage multi-municipal planning and shared services. 
 

Review

LAWMAKERS UNVEIL GAMING PACKAGE CALLING FOR ACCOUNTABILITY AND INTEGRITY

Sen. Jeffrey Piccola (R-Dauphin), along with Senate and House colleagues, unveiled a joint legislative package March 31 that would strengthen Pennsylvania’s gaming law by implementing the recommendations of a grand jury investigating the crime ties of a Pennsylvania casino owner.

The legislation would close the loopholes that continue to exist in the gaming law in an effort to keep organized crime out of slots operations and make structural and procedural reforms to the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board. A major component of the legislative package involves creating a Division of Gaming Enforcement under the Attorney General, where it would have the complete authority of a law enforcement agency in carrying out investigations.

Other components of the legislation include decreasing the number of board members from seven to five and limiting their outside employment. The legislation would also amend the casino ownership licensing process and procedures that the board follows by requiring public hearings on the qualifications of applicants and tightening the license and permit disqualification criteria.

For more on the gaming reform package, please see In the Spotlight and Fast Facts, below. 

Senator Piccola AudioSenator Piccola Video - Sen. Piccola
 Senator Folmer AudioSenator Folmer Video - Sen. Mike Folmer
 Senator Corman AudioSenator Corman Video - Sen. Jake Corman
 Senator Pippy AudioSenator Pippy Video - Sen. John Pippy

NATURAL GAS LEASING PLAN REVIEWED BY COMMITTEE

The Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, chaired by Sen. Mary Jo White (R-Venango), held an informational briefing Tuesday on drilling for natural gas in state forests.

The committee took testimony from Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Michael DiBerardinis regarding the department’s plan to issue natural gas leases for state forest land.

The secretary said DCNR plans to accept competitive bids in late summer for a lease of up to 75,000 acres of state forest lands for gas extraction to respond to increased interest in the Marcellus Shale formation. 

COMMITTEE VOTES TO ADD OFFICERS GROUP TO STATE VETERANS COMMISSION

The Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee, chaired by Sen. Lisa Baker (R-Luzerne), voted Tuesday to add a representative of an organization representing thousands of Pennsylvania veterans to the State Veterans Commission.

Senate Bill 1033, sponsored by Sen. Bob Regola (R-Westmoreland), would add the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) to the commission, which is comprised of major veterans organizations and provides advice to the state Adjutant General on issues important to veterans.

Organized in 1929, MOAA represents members of the uniformed services (officer and enlisted) active duty, former and retired, National Guard and Reserve -- and their families and survivors.  There are more than 9,000 current members of MOAA in the 16 chapters spread throughout the commonwealth.

Senator Regola said: "MOAA is extremely active in its support of veterans and those serving today. In particular, the Disabled American Veterans Transportation Program is very important to them and they have raised thousands of dollars to buy phone cards for deployed and wounded servicemen and their families."

In the Spotlight

Under Senator Piccola’s measure, felons would be prohibited from holding a gaming license. People proven to be associated with organized crime and career criminals would also be prohibited from holding a license.

The legislation is based on the recommendations made by a Dauphin County Grand Jury in their investigation of casino owner Louis DeNaples, who was charged with perjury for allegedly lying to state gaming officials about his ties to organized crime. 

Senator Piccola said: "Such inadequacies in our gaming law prevented a thorough background check before a license was awarded to a Mount Airy casino owner who was later charged with lying about his connections to organized crime figures. If we do not correct this statute, we are hanging out a sign telling organized crime: Welcome, open for business, Pennsylvania."

Fast Facts

GAMING REFORM PACKAGE

  • Removes the Bureau of Investigation and Enforcement (BIE) from the jurisdiction of the Gaming Control Board.

  • Creates a Division of Gaming Enforcement under the Attorney General.

  • Prohibits felons from holding a gaming license.

  • Requires the board to hold a public hearing on the qualifications of applicants.

  • Provides strong subpoena powers to the board and enabling the board to confer immunity to witnesses.

  • Prohibits outside employment by board members.

  • Removes the provision that the State Police are beholden to the Gaming Control Board for reimbursement for expenses.

Questions or Comments?

Contact the Senate Republican Communications Office or call 717-787-6725.

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