Dec 20, 2012 3 min read

HARRISBURG — State Rep. Peter J. Daley, D-California, said Tuesday that he would expand his efforts to halt implementation of changes to the state’s Small Games of Chance Act.

Daley said his efforts not only include introducing legislation to place a moratorium on the changes and reintroducing his legislation to repeal the act, but also by working with his colleagues on the House Gaming Oversight Committee on other legislation to address the various concerns with the law raised by local organizations and clubs.

Additionally, Daley is circulating a letter addressed to Gov. Tom Corbett to all members of the House for signatures, requesting that he ask Pennsylvania’s secretary of revenue to delay the first reporting deadline of Feb. 1, 2013.

“The law, as it was written, does not specify a date when organizations must begin to file with the Department of Revenue under the new reporting requirements,” Daley said. “The department was given leeway to set a date within the parameters that record-keeping requirements not place an undue hardship or burden on licensed organizations. Based on the conversations that I’ve had with numerous organizations in the area, I believe that the February deadline represents an undue hardship and burden for most, if not all, organizations.

“All of the fire departments, veterans groups and other organizations who have a stake in these changes should know that their voice has been heard and the concerns that they voiced will be raised as the Legislature convenes in January for a new two-year legislative session,” Daley said.

“I am taking a broad approach by not only offering legislation, but also by working with my colleagues from the House Gaming Oversight Committee, as well as coordinating my efforts with those of my colleagues in the Pennsylvania Senate. This is too important a community issue not to address it immediately and with every resource available.”

According to Daley, there already is talk by some House members and staff of working to legislatively address some of the shortcomings in Act 2 of 2012, chief among those are at what fiscal level an organization should fall under reporting requirements and how much an organization should be required to place in a separate account for use by other community services. Behind the concept of these types of targeted fixes is the general support for increased prize limits.

“I also am calling on my colleagues and the governor to convene a meeting of all of the groups, organizations and other key stakeholders who have concerns with the legislation, so that any laws that we pass in the new session address the shortcomings of Act 2 of 2012,” Daley said. “Our local volunteers — no matter what organization or club — do so much for our communities. We cannot afford to see these groups close their doors. They contribute to the safety, support our local Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, and help out when a need arises. They are our friends and our neighbors who are there to support us and make our communities stronger.”