Gambling continues to roil the political waters in Harrisburg
After simmering on the back burner for most of the past year gambling is threatening to erupt into a major election year issue. Adding fuel to the fire are numerous instances of alleged corruption, unethical behavior, and administrative bungling. Put all this together with what is arguably one of the worst constructed bills in Pennsylvania history ever to become law and, well, you have the making of one big campaign donnybrook.
A group of Republican senators lead by erstwhile GOP gubernatorial candidate Jeff Piccola (R-Dauphin) are calling for a special session to rewrite the state’s gambling law. Piccola and company are right when they say there are numerous flaws in the legislation and the practical implementation of the measure has floundered badly.
Governor Ed Rendell, godfather of the state’s ill-advised foray into the world of chance, is no slouch when it comes to responding to such attacks. He quickly pointed out that Republicans (in name only) control both houses of the General Assembly and that if the legislators wanted a special session all they had to do was call one. Rendell then twisted the knife by observing that the supposed full time General Assembly is in the midst of a two month summer vacation.
Rendell is correct in questioning both the work ethic of the Imperial Legislature, and the lack of leadership on the gambling issue. The now-defeated top two members of the Senate, President Pro Tempore Bob Jubelirer and Majority Leader Chip Brightbill, are both gambling opponents. So it should not be difficult for Piccola to get his wish of a special session in the Senate. No word yet from Jubelirer and Brightbill as to whether or not that will happen. The roadblock to reform, as usual, is the House where Speaker John Perzel favors gambling and performs like a dancing poodle anytime the governor whistles. So don’t expect any special session there.
The concept of a special session is really a side issue. Bills can be introduced whether or not the legislature is in session, special or otherwise. Hearings on bills can be held while the General Assembly is on hiatus. All this could be done in the weeks leading up to the legislature’s return in early September, positioning a bill for a vote at that time.
When you cut through the special session smokescreen, what really is at play is a disagreement among the major players over what problems actually exist and what solutions – if any – should be enacted. The Piccola-lead senate Republicans, along with GOP gubernatorial candidate Lynn Swann have advanced an agenda for gambling reform. Leading the list of recommended changes are eliminating the provision that allows legislators and their families to own a financial stake in gaming operations; giving the state Attorney General primary responsibility and authority for policing the gambling industry; eliminating “middleman” requirements that kick money to politically favored firms; and prohibiting members of the state gaming commission from holding outside employment.
All of this is eminently reasonable. The problem is many if not all of these ideas were considered and rejected by the legislature when it passed the gambling bill in the first place. So despite the fact Governor Rendell and proponents now say they support some changes to the law; they are not necessarily in agreement with reformers as to exactly what those changes should be.
Bottom line: Look for rhetorical fireworks from now through November, followed by another period of inaction. That is, unless the electorate which has thus far dispatched a state Supreme Court justice, two legislative leaders, and ten percent of the house GOP caucus remains engaged in the process and tosses more of those blocking reform out of office in November.