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Taking away Philadelphia's power to regulate casinos
By Ed Goppelt
Tuesday, 09/26/06
(1159280188537)
Letter to State Senator Vincent J. Fumo.
September 26, 2006
State Senator Vincent J. Fumo
545 Capitol Building
Senate Box 203001
Harrisburg, PA 17120-3001
Re: Taking away Philadelphia’s power to regulate its casinos
Dear Senator Fumo:
You have made it a priority to take away the City’s right to regulate
the two casinos the state has mandated for Philadelphia. You held up
the state budget for two hours in July after the State Senate balked
at your demand that it take away Philadelphia’s power to enforce
zoning and safety rules on casinos. Your amendment would also strip
residents of their right to be heard on the design and operation of
the casinos at a zoning hearing.
You must have a good reason for taking away the rights of the people
you represent. What is it? The reasons you offered the Senate in July
make no sense. You told your colleagues that you were concerned that
revenue from the Philadelphia casinos might be delayed for three years
and that, as a result, property tax relief for other Pennsylvanians
would be delayed.
The average Pennsylvanian is expected to receive $200 in tax relief
from state casino revenues. Yet you propose to take away
Philadelphia’s ability to regulate two Las Vegas sized casinos forever
so that other Pennsylvanians can cash their $200 checks now rather
than in three years?! How is this a good deal for the City and the
people who live here?
Even if the Philadelphia casinos are tied up in the courts for three
years, money will soon be pouring into the state treasury from the 12
other casinos in the state. Is Pennsylvania in such desperate need of
money that the only option you see is to sacrifice the legal rights of
Philadelphians? If so, why aren’t other Pennsylvanians being asked to
give up their legal rights as well?
Why put Gaming Board officials in Harrisburg in charge of regulating
the safety of Philadelphia casinos? These officials are not
accountable to Philadelphia and have no experience drafting and
enforcing fire, building and zoning codes. How would they do a better
job of protecting the safety of residents and casino patrons than the
City of Philadelphia?
Sincerely,
Edmund Goppelt