Coy reappointed to gaming control board
As expected, House Democratic Leader H. William DeWeese (D-Waynesburg) on Wednesday reappointed Jeff Coy to the Pennsylvania State Gaming Control Board. After 22 years in the state Legislature, Coy resigned his 89th District House seat in September. DeWeese named him to the board at that time and the required Pennsylvania State Police background check was completed, but a subsequent Commonwealth Court decision required DeWeese to wait until Wednesday to rename Coy to the position.
The Gaming Control Board, which is expected to hold its first meeting Dec. 14, comprises three gubernatorial appointees and four legislative appointees (one from each legislative caucus). Actions of the board to license applicants will require a qualified majority of the board: the vote of one gubernatorial appointee and all four legislative appointees. Legislative appointees will serve two-year terms on the board.
DeWeese said the slots law authorizes up to 14 slots licenses, including seven at racetracks, five stand-alone or non-track facility licenses, and two licenses at resort hotels. Each of the 12 racetrack and stand-alone licenses will carry a one-time fee of $50 million, while the resort type will cost $5 million each. Licenses need to be renewed annually after submission of updated qualifying information.
Coy has a long record of community service. He was member of the Orrstown Bank board of directors and the State System of Higher Education board, was former chairman of the Shippensburg University board of trustees, and served 14 years as a volunteer fire company president.
A graduate of Shippensburg Area Senior High School and Shippensburg University with a bachelor’s degree in government administration, the Franklin County resident served nine years on the multi-state Chesapeake Bay Commission and was treasurer of the Joint State Government Commission, a research arm of the General Assembly.