Governor Ed Rendell on Thursday signed long-awaited legislation to allow table games in Pennsylvania casinos, but the state’s chief executive made it a point to make the event a somber, not celebratory, occasion.

Although the revenue raised by the gaming expansion was necessary to prevent layoffs and steep program cuts, not funneling any of the money toward property tax relief, the original intent of allowing gambling in Pennsylvania, was unfortunate, the governor said.

He even declined to sign the bill in public, choosing instead to do so privately before holding a press conference with reporters.

“I have serious misgivings about this bill … serious misgivings that didn’t for me create any sense of celebration” Governor Rendell said. “There’s a sense of relief in signing this bill because it avoids the cuts I just outlined, but no sense of celebration.”

The governor received the bill Wednesday night after House approval. Leaders from the Senate and House had negotiated over the legislation since agreeing to a budget in mid-October, with a breakthrough coming only late last month.

Allowing table games is a pillar of funding for this year’s budget, with the expansion expected to raise $250 million. Governor Rendell said without that money, he was prepared to

Continue reading Governor Says Table Games Passage Gives Him 'Mixed Feelings'

Table games legislation was approved by the House on Wednesday evening by a vote of 103-89. It now heads to Governor Ed Rendell’s desk to be signed into law.

Lawmakers debated the measure, expected to raise $250 million this fiscal year, for nearly three months after signing a budget in mid-October.

Updated at 7:45 p.m.: The Senate approved Tuesday night the Conference Committee-approved table games bill, 28-22. The legislation now just needs House approval before reaching the governor’s desk. House leaders are hopeful they can vote on the measure Wednesday.

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A legislative Conference Committee approved compromise legislation Tuesday afternoon to allow table games in casinos, setting the stage for the long-debated bill to possibly arrive on the governor’s desk as early as Wednesday evening.

The Senate will likely consider the bill Tuesday night. Following the Conference Committee vote, Senate Majority Leader Pileggi (R-Delaware) told reporters he’s confident senators will approve the legislation.

The bill has only two differences from a version the Senate passed in mid-December, according to Erik Arneson, spokesman for Senate Republicans. The compromise legislation adds a category three casino license in 2017, he said, and it changes some of Philadelphia’s local tax share language.

The Senate and House reached an agreement Monday afternoon after nearly three months of negotiations that would allow table games in Pennsylvania casinos.

House leaders will present the agreement to rank-and-file members during a mid-day caucus Tuesday, according to spokesman Bill Thomas. If they approve the legislation, as expected, the House will move to non-concur with Senate Bill 711 to send it to a legislative conference committee later in the day. There, leaders will adopt the agreement into the bill, which the Senate could vote on immediately Tuesday. House rules prevent members from considering the legislation for 24 hours, but Thomas said they hopefully will vote on it sometime late Wednesday afternoon.

UPDATE: The House adjourned for the day Thursday without taking up the legislation.

Majority Leader Todd Eachus (D-Luzerne) told reporters Thursday afternoon he will advise Democratic caucus members not to vote on table games legislation until Jan. 5 of next year.

The Senate made “significant” changes to the legislation last night, Rep. Eachus said. Lawmakers will need to review and analyze the alterations before voting on the bill, he said.

The House approved table games legislation, Senate Bill 711, Tuesday night to send the long-awaited bill to the Senate, where lawmakers are expected to begin making changes as soon as Wednesday.

The bill’s passage seemed little in doubt when Democrats were able to amend and approve it Monday night, days after opposition to the legislation had forced caucus leadership to delay consideration until after the weekend. House rules forced lawmakers to wait until Tuesday night, 24 hours later, to approve the bill on third consideration.