HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) – Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf is casting doubt on the immediate prospects of a sweeping expansion of legalized casino-style gambling in Pennsylvania to the internet and bars that’s under consideration.
The legislation unveiled just hours ago was being debated Wednesday in the state House of Representatives. Proponents say it would raise hundreds of millions of dollars to prop up a deficit-plagued state budget.
Asked if he supports such a gambling expansion, Wolf says he’d look at it as part of a budget agreement with the Republican-controlled Legislature. But he says he can’t support it on its own. He says he’s also concerned about its effect on lottery receipts that fund programs for seniors.
Negotiators are reporting no agreements on key elements of a budget with eight days until the fiscal-year deadline.
Copyright 2016 The Associated Press.
