HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) – A Pennsylvania state House of Representatives committee is postponing a scheduled vote on legislation to expand gambling as top lawmakers continue budget negotiations.
House Gaming Oversight Committee Chairman John Payne said Wednesday that Republican majority leaders asked him to postpone it at this stage in budget negotiations.
Lawmakers who are resisting tax increases to balance a deep budget deficit are exploring Pennsylvania’s third expansion of gambling in six years as an alternative source of cash. However, Payne and the committee’s ranking Democrat, Nick Kotik, say they don’t know which proposals could pass the committee.
Numerous proposals are competing for attention, including legalizing Internet gambling or video poker terminals at bars, allowing slot machines at off-tracking betting parlors or international airports, and regulating and taxing daily fantasy sports and sports betting.
Copyright 2015 The Associated Press.
