PENNSYLVANIA Bill wouldn't let reps own slots

HARRISBURG (AP) -- A group of state representatives said Wednesday they plan to introduce legislation designed to prevent fellow members of the General Assembly from holding ownership stakes in the new slot-machine industry.
Their proposed changes to the landmark gambling law passed in July could reopen debate on the measure that authorized up to 61,000 machines at 14 venues, with a third of the revenues going to reduce property taxes.
State Rep. John A. Maher III, R-Allegheny, said at a news conference in the Capitol he had dozens of sponsors for a measure he expects to introduce next week.
The current law allows state legislators to own securities worth up to 1 percent of a slots operation -- a provision that was designed to accommodate secondary ownership through mutual funds or pension funds. It has generated a measure of public outrage and editorial criticism since being reported in the aftermath of the slots debate, although other states with gambling allow legislators to have ownership shares.
Maher said his legislation will allow exceptions for those types of ownership and for unlimited market buys of securities that are available to the public.