Rendell says chance of table games bill "nil," layoffs ahead
Saying he thinks there is no chance of a table games bill reaching his desk, Gov. Rendell has ordered his cabinet secretaries to begin the process of reducing their staffs
Rendell says chance of table games bill "nil," layoffs ahead
Saying he thinks there is no chance of a table games bill reaching his desk, Gov. Rendell has ordered his cabinet secretaries to begin the process of reducing their staffs.
When asked at a news conference this afternoon what the chances were of the legislature passing table games bill, Rendell said "nil."
Rendell last week threatened to layoff 1,000 more state workers if no gambling bill was on his desk by Jan. 8. The bill -agreed to as part of the state budget the governor signed in October - would produce $250 million that Rendell said is needed to keep the government running.
"I wouldn't be asking our secretaries to go through the exercise of preparing for layoffs if I had confidence" that the House and Senate can reach agreement on a bill, he said.
The two chambers broke for the holiday last week without hashing out differences over the legislation. Among the sticking points: whether to add another category three - or resort license - and how to distribute gambling proceeds in Philadelphia.
Rendell said with continued declining revenues and no gambling bill he might have to consider further cuts to state agencies and entities that receive state money.
Rendell also mentioned the possibility of closing state parks, the state museums and eliminating some discretionary grants.
Nearly 800 state government jobs have been cut this year as a result of the budget crisis and another 1,800 state jobs went unfilled.
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Here We Go Again...Eddie's taking hostages again to get his way...that tactic never gets old with Eddie! Will SOMEBODY AT THE U.S. ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE PLEASE SEND THIS THIEF/CRIMINAL A TARGET LETTER!? Please connect the dots with the million$ in "No Bid" and Inappropriate Contracts"..."The Rendell Murders", etc! Hey are you folks at the U.S. Attorney General's Office AWAKE!?— John Law- If the PA government is expecting table games to support the state finances, we're in big trouble. Economic growth should not encourage gambling as a financial windfall.— unclejed
- Workhard lives in a delusional world. Not only are most people who comment on these boards impotent neocons, the Republican control of the legislature for so many years led to the states budget problems. They kept pumping money into districts that don't contribute instead of putting money into Philadelphia and Pittsburgh like they should. Legalizing gambling is a smart move. Layoffs only take more money out of the economy.— HandNik
Comment removed.- And all you people complaining are the same democrats who voted them in....Yeah lets all vote for change! idiots...and now your complaining.......Remember to keep towing the party line and telling your kids, unions are good little Johnny and save the environment..Vote these bozo's out of office or stop complaining.— workhard09
- All that money that goes into those casinos owned by out of state firms LEAVES THE STATE!!!!why does this not concern our governor! just beacause we get to keep whatever percentage for PA, the rest literally leaves the state to connecticut or some other place... please Governor, tell me how less money in Pennsylvania is going to help the state? what are they paying these weasels? and who is paying it?— TooTone
- I guess I'll have to continue hitting AC to play poker... Legally.— KevinRx
- Table games are a great way to raise tax revenue without new taxes on all the residents of PA. It doesn't matter if you like the current crop of politicians in office, including the Governor, just support this no-brainer. What's the difference between slots only casinos and full service casinos? No difference except with slots and table games you attract more players and add more tax revenue. Keep the money here!— Kaz107
- Comment removed.
- Dont the Eagles still owe Phila money? Go ask them for it. Do we need "table games" to keep jobs in the State? Are you kidding me?— littlejoe
- Way to go Elliot Greenleaf. Hope you are happy you just cost a lot of people their job. What a phoney. How is All State treating you this holiday season?— Bobbarkerismydad
- And, from "The Nero Played Picasso On The Ben Franklin Pkwy While Rome burned Department" . . . Why is our State Government in such sad shape that it requires Emergency Resuscitation on a BlackJack Table? Do you know why? Because these irresponsible politicians can't control their spending. Why, for instance, in a brokeass State, in a brokeass City, are we building The Barnes On The Parkway Project with $137 Million Dollars in Taxpayer dollars that we don't have? I know how you can save money, you irresponsible politicians can Stop the $137 Million Barnes Move.— RR
- What a transparently self-serving bully Rendell is. He doesn't get his giveaways for the casino VIPs, he wont give us good government. There's plenty of crony fat Ed could get rid of if he were a real public servant. He's a self-servant.— farhorizons
- Keep laying off.What happens after this vise does not work.Enough is enough. Taxed too much.
- Lay-off the workers! Are we, the taxpayers, suppose to get upset about more drones being taken off the public teat? These politicians are only worried that they may lose some votes.— junethe4th
- How about laying off the special advisers and so-called policy people. Start with Donna Cooper, my vote for the Worst person in the World. For some good commentary on this subject by a former Rendell employee I'd suggest the following link. It should work. but if it doesn't, just type address into your browser. Good stuff. http://www.examiner.com/x-33272-Harrisburg-Political-Buzz-Examiner~y2009m12d22-Rendell-to-ring-in-new-year-with-layoffs— Darrell Van Horn
