Robbins Votes Against Expanded Gambling in
Pennsylvania
Harrisburg - State Senator Bob Robbins (R-50) today voted against
legislation that would significantly expand gambling in Pennsylvania.
"This measure is not just bad public policy, but bad for the future
of Pennsylvania," Sen. Robbins stated. He noted that when gambling is
brought into communities, indebtedness increases, as does youth crime,
forgery and credit card theft, domestic violence, child neglect, and
alcohol and drug offenses.
He stressed that gambling funds are not a reliable or stable source
of revenue for state programs. In other states, programs supported by
gambling revenues experience a continuing decrease in their funding
base. Programs funded with gambling money often fail to meet their
financial obligations and revert back to tapping the general tax
dollars.
"Many people are looking at this bill as a cash cow for
Pennsylvania, but I believe it will come with many consequences. It
amounts to taxation on the most vulnerable people in Pennsylvania, and
it erodes the moral fabric of our society," he said.
During debate on expanded gambling, Robbins attempted to amend the
bill with several commonsense measures which would have prevented
state dollars from being used to finance the construction of slot
parlors. These amendments, however, were defeated.
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CONTACT: MIKE HENGST (717) 787-1322
