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Penn. House Candidates Say Gambling Expansion Bill Needs More Work

KITTANNING -- As reported by the Leader-Times: "At an interactive forum tomorrow at Riverfront Park, Rep. Jeff Coleman, R-60th, plans to address the issues of property tax reform, gambling expansion and caps on damages in medical malpractice lawsuits with the constituents of his district.

"'I want to give my constituents a first-hand perspective of what has happened in Harrisburg," said Coleman, who will leave office at the end of the year having opted not to seek re-election.

"...He insisted that legislation to expand gambling in Pennsylvania will significantly delay tax relief. Monday Gov. Ed Rendell signed a bill approving as many as 61,000 slot machines in the state.

"...Using revenue from slots, the House and Senate plan to issue a $2 billion bond to expand the Philadelphia Convention Center, build a new arena for the Pittsburgh Penguins and aid the Pittsburgh International Airport, Coleman said.

"'It's a clear trade for votes,' Coleman said. "Taxpayers assume that slots will bring tax relief. That is a distortion of what the bill is; the bill is a sham."

"He said that gambling expansion would postpone any reductions in property taxes until 2006..."

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