Schroder Says Public Hearing Needed Concerning Role of Pennsylvania Casino Association
Rep. Curt Schroder (R-Chester County), Republican chairman of the House Gaming Oversight Committee, is urging the committee’s majority chairman, Rep. Dante Santoni (D-Berks), to hold a public hearing to allay concerns following the Pennsylvania Casino Association’s contention that it is not subject to the state’s lobbying disclosure law.
“I am concerned about statements by the officers of the association that the association is not lobbying and therefore does not need to comply with the requirements of Act 71, the state’s lobbying disclosure law,” said Schroder. “The public and members of the state Legislature deserve to know why the association was created, who its members are, and most importantly, why it is not a registered lobbying group.”
The Pennsylvania Casino Association identifies itself as an association whose mission is to educate public officials about the gaming industry, a role that belongs to lobbyists.
“If they are engaging in lobbying activity, they need to identify themselves as lobbyists and register with the state,” said Schroder. “This is yet another of the unintended consequences of bringing casino gambling into the Commonwealth. I believe we need to publicly air our concerns about this particular issue, and to address necessary gaming reforms before discussions go any further on the expansion of gambling in Pennsylvania.”
Rep. Curt Schroder
155th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
(610) 524-5595
(717) 783-2520
Contact: Donna M. Pinkham
(717) 260-6452