Political Contributions From Gambling Lobbyists Causing a Stir
A growing number of senators in Pennsylvania are calling for a ban on all monetary contributions from lobbyists, whose money comes from groups who have applied for slot-machine parlor licenses.
This comes after lobbyists and lawyers who represent these groups have contributed over $750,000 to political campaigns this year in Pennsylvania.
The groups have applied for their licenses last yaer, and were barred from making contributions under a law designed to stop the gambling industries influence over politicians.
However, these groups have found loop holes in the law and have turned to political lobbyists and lawyers to filter their donations through. As a result, State Senators are calling for stricter laws regarding the distribution of political contributions. "our concern is the public perceptionof the campaign contributions. It's the public perception of the connection of the gaming entity to the lobbyist and the lobbyist to the politicians, and we're trying to sever that connection," says Jay Costa, Democratic Senator from Allegheny.
Almost all of the major lobbying and law firms in the state have clients with gambling interests. Most of these companies insist that the money they are donating comes from them and not from these gambling clients,
August 21, 2006
Posted By Bob Hartman
Staff Editor, CasinoGamblingWeb.com
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