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State Reps: Senate gave too much power to casinos
By Ed Goppelt
Tuesday, 10/10/06
(1160531832330)
Two Philadelphia state representatives again expressed vehement
opposition to a gambling reform bill incorporating changes pushed by
state Senator Vince Fumo. Speaking at a home not far from the
proposed Foxwoods' casino in South Philadelphia, state Representatives John
Taylor (R) and Bill Keller (D) argued at a noon press conference today
that the changes made by the Senate gave all the power to the casinos
and none to residents.
Mike O'Donnell, at whose home the event was held, said his home has been flooded six times during the last year. Rep Keller said that under SB 862, the Philadelphia Water Dept. would no longer have the right to enter a casino to track down the source of flooding problems. The bill, as amended by the Senate, strips the City of its power to enforce its safety regulations on the casinos.
O'Donnell said the flooding followed overdevelopment of his neighborhood following the construction of the Ikea and Target shopping centers. Foxwoods' casino would cover four square blocks with impermeable asphalt and buildings and is expected to draw 9 million visitors a year.
Rep. Taylor said that Republican representatives were unhappy with the changes made by the Senate, leading to a lively caucus on the bill last week. SB 862 will be up for a vote next week according to Steve Miskin, the spokesman for House Majority Leader Sam Smith.
Two South Phila. community groups are holding a public forum this weekend to discuss the enormous amount of development expected to follow in the footsteps of the casino(s) on the Delaware riverfront. Delaware Riverfront 2015 Symposium will take place this weekend, October 14 and 15th between 8:30 am and 2:30 pm at the Independence Seaport Museum on Penn's Landing (211 S. Columbus Blvd.). Read the event flyer. Reps. Taylor and Keller, the subjects of this Hallwatch story, will be co-hosting the event along with IBEW boss John Dougherty and Robert Blackburn and Rep. Marie Lederer.