Rep. Schroder: Democrats rush to pass gambling expansion

State Rep. Curt Schroder, R-155th Dist., chided House Democrats Friday for pushing through expansion of table games without "needed safeguards."

Schroder, the Republican chairman of the House Gaming Oversight Committee, said committee members were given less than 24 hours today to consider a 97-page amendment to Senate Bill 711 that will introduce table games in Pennsylvania casinos and dramatically expand gambling in the Commonwealth.

Attempts by Schroder to suspend a vote on the measure for one day to give committee members a chance to read the legislation failed on a party-line vote.

"There has been a stench surrounding passage of Act 71 of 2004, which originally brought slots and gaming to Pennsylvania," said Schroder. "That stench has never been cleared out of this Capitol building. One of the big reasons for that stench was the process that was used to pass Act 71 -- this was same process that was employed today."

More from a Schroder press release:

When SB 711 arrived in the House, it made reforms to the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) and its procedures. However, today's amendment inserted table games, eliminated some reforms and ignored the most needed reform. Gone is language preventing members of the PGCB, who make about $150,000 annually, to receive outside income. Absent was language to put responsibility for gaming background investigations in the hands of the Pennsylvania State Police or state attorney general. Republicans said history demonstrates that investigative authority should not be left to the PGCB.

The Democrat majority argued that it was necessary for SB 711 to pass out of committee today to enable the state to make up to $200 million in projected gaming revenues this year. Schroder and his Republican colleagues countered that Pennsylvania should pass a budget that lives within its means and within existing revenues.

"Governor Ed Rendell said he would not approve table games until all casinos are up and operating," said Schroder. "The governor also said he would not sign legislation to expand gambling before gaming reforms were made. The governor has reversed position in response to his self-created budget crisis."

Senate Bill 711 was moved out of committee on a 14-11 party-line vote. The measure now goes to the full House for consideration.