Dems Dump on Lottery Deal
Democratic leaders in the Legislature are asking Atty. Gen. Kane to kill the lottery deal signed by Gov. Corbett to give lottery management to the Brits.
Dems Dump on Lottery Deal
John Baer, Daily News Political Columnist
By the end of the very day Gov. Corbett announced details and defended his decision to contract with the British firm Camelot Global Services to manage the state lottery, top legislative Democrats formally asked Atty. Gen. Kathleen Kane to kibosh the contract.
House Democratic Leader Frank Dermody and Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa sent a letter to Kane on Thursday claiming the contract violates state and federal law.
Kane has 30 days to review then approve or reject the contract.
In a letter to Kane, who took office Tuesday, the pair of Dems contend Corbett usurps the authority of the Legislature to expand gaming (part of Global's plan to increase lottery profits) which Dems contend is purely the purview of lawmakers under provisions of the 1971 lottery act and therefore "contrary to Pennsylvania law."
The letter also contends the contract violates federal law which states that "all significant business decisions" regarding state lotteries must be "conducted by a State acting under the authority of State law."
The Corbett administration has said it has legal authority to enter into the contract.
The two Dems also filed a friend-of-the-court brief in a pending lawsuit seeking to dump the deal brought by the state workers' union AFSCME Council 13, some lottery employees and some other Democratic lawmakers.
The Guv says the contract is needed to expand the lottery and increase profits for the future because the state continues to age.
Kane's response, whatever it is, whenever it comes, sets her up for an early label.
As the current darling of statewide Democrats (first woman, first Dem elected to the post of AG) she can be cast as a partisan foe of Republican Corbett if she rejects the contract or a disappointment to partisan Dems if she okays it.
Such is life in the political arena. Welcome, Ms. Kane, to the show.
One thing is clear. If Kane outright rejects the contract she is nothing more than a legal stooge of the Democrat party and its also clear that she will be used to make attempts to block progress in PA. The orignal party of 'NO' strikes again. How sad.— psyrus- The RepubliCons are the party of no, and if Kane rejects this scam, the only thing it will make her is right.
- Now my lottery money will not be going for the service of the aged. It will be going to services to the rich businessmen from another country.
Good jon Tommy boy, you are a self-serving ideologue who cares little for the people of Pennsylvania. I see your lottery move as being unethical and a disservice to the peoiple of PA. I hope for the good of us all, you are indeed a one term governor.
I know I will be working for anyone who opposes you.— readingspecialist 1 - You have no idea what you are talking about. The purpose of this deal was to generate more revenue for the elderly, and the outside management company had to guarantee profits at a certain level. They also have incentives to generate additional profits for the Commonwealth.
This deal is not meant to take money from the state - it's meant to create more money for the state.— jfar86 - YOU have no idea what you're talking about. If you really think any of Corrupt Corbett's deals benefit Pennsylvania, I've got a great deal for you on a couple of really nice bridges. Wow, you're deluded.
- We need 2 attorneys general to keep track of all of Corbett's corruption. Hopefully KANE IS ABLE.
(I just wanted to type "attorneys general")— carl and sons - please Kane reject this thiefs award to a foriegn company.— cityslicker
- I think Corbett is doing a good job of outsourcing jobs to foreign countries. That's why we elected a Republican for governor. If you want jobs to stay in America, vote for Democrats.— pic man
- @psyrus
your a idiot.Still sore over Romney and the tea plarty losing? this has nothing to do with politics you A hole.Its about jobs leaving our state to a foriegn company.How would you feel if it was your job or one of your family members.Get your head out of the sand and use your commen sence.This lottery actually makes a hugh profit while supporting seniors and jobs for lpa workers.Get a life of better yet move to England.You are not american.— cityslicker - Corbett, the latest one term Governor. This lottery give away is an abject failure a clear example of abuse of power. If this is such a good deal, why did Corbett try to ram it through without public comment, legislative approval and before AG Kane took office? Why are there no bids from other companies? A contract of this length must have competing bids. It also appears that the Governor has over-stepped his authority. He has no power to expand the lottery, only the Legislature can. He promised something in the contract that he cannot deliver... He should focus on getting out of the liquor business first...— Getinline
- The jobs should stay in this country. Send Corbett to the UK.— moretoit
- Corbett went ahead and filed an intent to award this contract despite the fact that the bid process did not result in competition. Every other company dropped out of the process because of funny business by Corbett. This British company was the only company that bid on the contract. Kane needs to stop the award of the contract and launch an investigation to determine if anything illegal occured.— MikeP
- The other bidders dropped out because the contract was very one sided in favor of the Commonwealth. — jfar86
- What other bidders? — mike l
- If the state can make more money from the lottery by shifting the adminstration of the lottery to private company,it should be done. The state is under no obligation to use the highest priced labor to conduct its business, in fact it has the moral imperitive to use the least expensive labor.— Wildman Bill
John is the author of the book "On The Front Lines of Pennsylvania Politics: Twenty-Five Years of Keystone Reporting" (The History Press, 2012). Reach John at baerj@phillynews.com.
