Orie Wants New Gaming Board Members

A local state senator wants the four legislative caucus leaders to recall their appointments to the gaming control board. Senator Jane Orie says she has already been talking with her caucus leader and has reintroduced legislation that would reorganize the board. Orie says the members of the board have been negligent in their duties to the point that their actions could be seen as criminal. The legislation calls for the caucus appointee to be approved by two thirds of the senate. It would also force the board members to give up any outside jobs. The members are paid $145-thousand a year. The governor names the three other members of the board. Orie says the board has botched the handling of the licenses awarded to Don Barden in Pittsburgh and Louis DeNaples in the Poconos. The four legislative appointees all have terms that expire on Jan. 19.