Sen Farnese: Gaming Expansion Bill Mismanaged

PA Sate Senator Larry Farnese says he thinks the House went the wrong way when it tied Senate Bill 711, the Gaming Reform Bill, to the call for table games at casinos in Pennsylvania. Farnese says SB 711 reforms the Gaming Control Act by changing the terms under which Gaming Control Board members are approved and serve; changing the review process for prospective licensees by adding oversight by the state Attorney General's office; and allowing for public hearings prior to locating or changing a casino. Senator Farnese says the bill should have been allowed to remain a clean reform bill rather than being tied up in the debate of expansion and the budget. He says that should have been introduced as a separate measure. The measure could come up for a vote today.