State Capitol Roundup for March 28

Here's the weekly State Capitol ROUNDUP courtesy of Rep. Bob Mensch (R-147). It doesn't matter that the Legislature is still on its Easter vacation, lawmakers are finding things to keep themselves busy:

Gaming Reform Legislation Unveiled

House Republicans are urging their colleagues to make needed changes in order to restore integrity to the state's expanding gaming industry. Recently, Rep. Ron Marsico (R-Dauphin) introduced legislation that would create a new Bureau of Gaming under the control of the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP). The new agency would be charged with performing all the existing duties of the Bureau of Investigations and Enforcement, which is an arm of the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB). By doing this, legislators would be separating investigation and enforcement duties from the licensing authority, removing a key conflict of interest. On Monday, House and Senate Republicans will unveil additional legislation designed to keep organized crime out of gaming, as well as additional structural and procedural reforms to the Gaming Control Board.

No-Bid Contracts Being Awarded by State Cause Concern

In response to public outcry over the more than $1 billion awarded by Gov. Ed Rendell to companies not participating in the state's competitive bidding process, House Republicans are investigating the issue and are planning to take appropriate action. Legislation is being drafted that would prevent the award of contracts worth more than $100,000 without additional vetting. Another bill would amend the state's Right to Know law to require information about the contracts and why they were not put through the bidding process to be posted online. According to the Department of General Services, $246.3 million in no-bid contracts have been approved so far in 2008. That number does not include a recent $400 million award for the management of the state's data center in Harrisburg. Legislators are displeased with the recent development and have pledged to address the problem.

Committee Votes to Study Pay Inequity Between Genders

The House Labor Relations Committee recently voted to study how men and women working in the Commonwealth are compensated for their labor. Rep. Kathy Watson (R-Bucks), who sponsored the House resolution, was pleased by its success in committee. Watson noted that according to the National Committee on Pay Equity, Pennsylvania falls in the middle third of all states when it comes to pay equity between the genders. In 2005, it is estimated that average full-time male employees made $41,386. In the same year, women were paid $31,858. These numbers evidence a stark divide, according to Watson, who added that the resolution also calls for recommendations on how to address the issue legislatively. House Resolution 281 will now go to the House floor for consideration.