Rendell Threatens More Layoffs With Table Gambling Bill Stalling

Governor Ed Rendell was so sure that table game gambling would become a reality in Pennsylvania that he allowed lawmakers to write revenue from the table games into the new budget. Now, it appears that decision was a hasty one, with table games still illegal in the state.

Rendell has pushed for lawmakers to move swiftly on the passage of a table games bill. Instead, they have been unable to come to an agreement on almost anything that has to do with the new law.

There have been disagreements on many aspects of the table gaming issue. How much to tax and what to charge for the licensing fees have been major hangups. The most critical issue has been some lawmakers insistence on having new resort licenses created within the new bill.

Rendell, on Thursday, warned about the dangers of procrastination on the table game bill. The state is relying on money from the table games, and Rendell said he will soon have to pay off an additional 1,000 state employees without the revenue. Some believe Rendell is trying to light a fire under the lawmakers to move with greater urgency.

The new deadline before the additional employees will be laid off, according to Rendell, is January 8th. That gives lawmakers just three weeks to put aside their philosophical differences on the issue and iron out an agreement that is acceptable to all involved.

State universities had been held hostage up until this week by the lack of a table game resolution. Rendell, however, cleared their minds by saying that he will approve their subsidies that had previously been held up.

December 18, 2009
Posted By Tom Jones
Staff Editor, CasinoGamblingWeb.com
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