PENNSYLVANIA MOVES TO CONTROL CORRUPTION
26 June 2009
New law will restrict cash contributions to
political causes by gambling industry executives and
investors
The Pennsylvania state legislature is considering a new
law designed to better insulate public officials from
gambling industry inducements, reports Business Week.
The proposal "sailed through" the state Senate's
Community, Economic and Recreational Development
Committee this week after numerous press conferences and
legislative hearings unearthed perceived shortcomings in
the state's casino regulation.
The bill seeks to
reinstate a stringent ban on cash contributions to
political causes by gambling industry executives and
investors. This follows a state Supreme Court ruling in
April this year in which a former five-year-old similar
ban was struck down on grounds that a complete
prohibition on contributions went farther in practice
than called for.
The new initiative has the
support of the government watchdog group, Common Cause
Pennsylvania, which counted $4.4 million in political
campaign contributions in Pennsylvania from people and
groups in the gambling industry beginning in 2001.
"This study helps explain the gaming industry's
winning streak in Pennsylvania," said Barry Kauffman,
the group's executive director. "And it suggests that
gaming interests will go on a giving binge now that they
have the chance."
The 51-page bill also seeks to
restrict the gaming board's "revolving door" policy, and
now requires top and mid-level state employees to wait
two years, instead of just one, before working in the
gambling industry. The policy would additionally cover
lawyers - an aspect that may get scrutiny by the state
Supreme Court, which reserves the regulation of lawyers
for itself.
Senator Jane Orie, a Republican from
Allegheny and a frequent critic of the Pennsylvania
Gaming Control Board said: "I think it's a strong
message, and I believe we're on the path to restoring
public trust."
The bill has the support of other
Senate leaders and could pass the chamber this (June
2009) month, but its prospects are less certain in the
House, where a bill to legalise table games is pending
as a tax contributor to state coffers.
Pennsylvania has eight slot-machine casinos currently
operating and another expected to open within weeks.
Casino operators have lobbied for the legalisation of
table games, saying it will create valuable jobs and
make the establishments more competitive with the
expanding gambling industries in states along
Pennsylvania's borders.
Online Casino News Courtesy of
Infopowa
More news here.
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