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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. Mike O’Brien |
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O’Brien joins calls for buffer zones around casinos
HARRISBURG, Oct. 25 – State Rep. Mike O’Brien, D-Phila., joined other lawmakers at a news conference at the Capitol to call for 1,500-foot buffer zones around casinos slated to be located in Philadelphia.
“My constituents repeatedly have told me that they do not want casinos near their homes and other socially significant locations like churches and playgrounds,” O’Brien said. “This is a quality-of-life issue that is of the highest priority to them. Casinos will impact every area of local infrastructure, and careful planning will minimize that impact on the day-to-day lives of the people of Philadelphia.”
Legislation introduced by Rep. Babette Josephs, D-Phila., would require a 1,500-foot buffer zone casinos and schools, churches and playgrounds in Philadelphia. She introduced the bill (H.B. 1477) earlier this year after she determined that the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board did not take into consideration the concerns of residents who live next to the proposed casino locations.
The news conference was held by the Philly Neighborhood Alliance to urge movement on Josephs' bill, which has been stuck in committee since its introduction. The chairman of the House Gaming Oversight Committee has agreed to allow the bill to come up for a vote in committee, which is the first step to get a bill to the full House for a vote.
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CONTACT: Ruth A. Myers |