Recent legislative activity by PA House Democrats

Jan. 8, 2010

SIGNED INTO LAW

Governor signs legislation allowing table games in Pennsylvania

The House voted 103-89 this week to pass legislation (S.B. 711) which will improve state oversight of the gaming industry while creating thousands of jobs and generating hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue by allowing the state's gaming facilities to add table games such as poker, blackjack, roulette and craps. Under the legislation, racetrack-based casinos and stand-alone slot parlors would be required to pay a license fee of $16.5 million and be allowed to place up to 250 tables per facility, while smaller resort casinos would be required to pay a $7.5 million license fee and be allowed up to 50 tables per facility, as well as increase the number of slot machines from 500 to 600. Casinos would also be permitted to host larger tournaments on a limited basis.  

"We've said from the start that this bill had to be done right, and this bipartisan compromise is the right bill at the right time to create jobs, improve oversight and balance the budget without taxing working families," said House Speaker Keith R. McCall, D-Carbon. "Pennsylvania's gaming facilities have already proven themselves to be outstanding partners when it comes to helping us cut property taxes and promote economic development, so adding table games is the logical next step to make a good thing even better."

"The people spoke clearly, and the legislature listened with this table games bill," said House Majority Leader Todd A. Eachus, D-Luzerne. "This bill is about creating jobs that pay family-sustaining wages, about bringing in hundreds of millions of dollars when budgetary times are tough, and about making sure that the men and women operating and staffing our facilities have to live up to some of the most stringent ethical standards in the entire industry. We set high goals for this legislation, and I think it's very clear that we've achieved those goals -- and the winners are the taxpayers of the Commonwealth."

"We need to view all of our public policy with an eye to creating jobs and providing tangible benefits to the state," said House Appropriations Committee Chairman Dwight Evans, D-Phila. "The industry here is in its infancy, but already we've seen the benefits: tax reductions for property owners, especially our seniors; new, desperately needed funds for our general fund budget, and most importantly, greater job opportunities for citizens across Pennsylvania. I would call it a win, win, win."

"This is a common sense, bipartisan piece of legislation that makes our gaming facilities more competitive, improves the public's confidence in gaming, raises money we desperately need in these tough financial times, and -- most importantly -- helps put thousands of people to work in a brand-new industry," said House Gaming Oversight Committee Chairman Dante Santoni, D-Berks. "Allowing table games is the right thing to do -- not just for today, but for the future."

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COMMITTEE ACTION

House Insurance Committee approves DeLuca bills

State Rep. Tony DeLuca, D-Allegheny, said the House Insurance Committee has approved two bills he introduced to preserve the state's Children's Health Insurance Program and protect Pennsylvania residents from unscrupulous tow-truck operators. DeLuca, who chairs the committee, said the CHIP bill (H.B. 2185) would remove the Dec. 31, 2010, sunset date for the current version of CHIP, while the tow-truck bill (H.B. 2041) would place new standards in state law for tow-truck operators and protect consumers whose vehicles have been towed.

"It is imperative that we do away with the sunset provision in the CHIP law to make sure this program remains available to all children of working families in Pennsylvania who cannot afford or cannot obtain insurance on the private market," DeLuca said.

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Costa long-term insurance bill advanced by House committee

The state House Insurance Committee this week voted to send to the full House a bill sponsored by Rep. Dom Costa, D-Allegheny, which would assure senior citizens of an avenue to appeal long-term insurance claims denied by an insurance company. Under Costa's legislation, H.B. 1251, if an insurance company denies a long-term care claim filed by a senior citizen, the individual would be guaranteed the right to appeal the decision to a third party. In addition, should the third party deny the claim, the senior would still be able to make an appeal to the state Insurance or Health departments.

"I'm glad to see the Insurance Committee send my bill to the House for a vote," said Costa. "This bill would provide senior citizens with important consumer protections to ensure they receive the long-term care benefits they pay for and are entitled to."

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