PRINTER'S NO. 4596
No. 733 Session of 2002
INTRODUCED BY CLYMER, M. BAKER, FAIRCHILD, FLEAGLE, GORDNER,
HERSHEY, McILHATTAN, SATHER, SCHULER, STERN, McNAUGHTON,
G. ARMSTRONG, FORCIER, BIRMELIN, BASTIAN AND PHILLIPS,
NOVEMBER 14, 2002
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON RULES, NOVEMBER 14, 2002
A RESOLUTION
1 Declaring a moratorium on legislation expanding gambling in this
2 Commonwealth.
3 WHEREAS, Money spent in gambling establishments may be
4 diverted from small businesses in our local communities; and
5 WHEREAS, Gambling may lead to the closing of local businesses
6 and thus could thwart the Commonwealth's efforts to attract and
7 keep jobs in Pennsylvania; and
8 WHEREAS, National corporations, their stockholders and
9 executives may benefit from the expansion of gambling in this
10 Commonwealth at the expense of average Pennsylvanians; and
11 WHEREAS, Further expansion of gambling may reduce revenues of
12 State Lottery-funded programs and may negatively impact
13 organizations, such as volunteer fire companies, that are
14 dependent on bingo and small games of chance; and
15 WHEREAS, Pennsylvania's bankruptcy rate has consistently
16 remained below the national average, while bankruptcy has been a
17 significant problem in some gambling states; and
1 WHEREAS, Compulsive gambling may contribute to domestic
2 violence, child abuse, criminal behavior, substance abuse and
3 suicide; and
4 WHEREAS, The National Council on Problem Gambling reports
5 that youths involved in underage gambling may encounter problems
6 with family, school, peers and the law; and
7 WHEREAS, Pennsylvania's senior citizens, who are currently
8 persuaded to gamble in other states through discounts on bus
9 tickets and meals, may be further exploited by the expansion of
10 gambling in this State; and
11 WHEREAS, Tourism in this Commonwealth currently emphasizes
12 family involvement and, as a result, continues to be a leading
13 industry in Pennsylvania; therefore be it
14 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives declare a one-
15 year moratorium on the consideration of legislation that would
16 further expand gambling in Pennsylvania for the purpose of
17 studying the potential impact of gambling on residents of this
18 Commonwealth; and be it further
19 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives urge the Governor
20 and the Senate to establish a moratorium on legislation
21 expanding gambling in this Commonwealth.
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