Help limit casino power

Posted by Casino-Free Philly on October 12, 2009

Groundbreaking for a better Philadelphia

These past few weeks you have been fantastic. Our movement is growing and our voice is louder and stronger. Politicians can tell us it's a done deal, casino investors can have a ceremonial groundbreaking, but we know better. This is up to us and us alone.

We have the power to prevent casinos from coming to Philadelphia and, if any do open, we have the power to shut them down. This is our city.

We need you to do two things today. First, make a call to your legislator and tell him or her to vote "no" on table games. We know it's an uphill struggle. The gambling industry is tanking and they desperately need to try and find new ways to separate citizens from their money. This is one in a long series of battles ahead.

Many of you are in the river wards and so you should call these legislators:

  • Sen. Larry Farnese: (215) 952-3121
  • Rep. Mike O'Brien: (215) 503-3245
  • (If below Wharton Street) Rep. Bill Keller: (215) 271-9190

Many of you are from other parts of the city, and you can find your legislators' phone numbers by going to the top right-hand corner of this website. Yes, call Rep. Babette Josephs, call Rep. Mark Cohen, call Sen. Vince Hughes and call Sen. Shirley Kitchen. Call as many as you can.

The casinos' strategy is to hide table games inside another bill that has bogus reforms of the Gambling Act. This is to give cover to lawmakers who are skittish about voting to expand gambling. We are wise to that ploy. Whether in a standalone bill or tucked inside another bill, please ask your legislator's office you want him or her to vote "no." Be polite but be clear. Please call now.

What's the other thing we want you to do today? Well, we want you to take a deep breath, exhale and congratulate yourself.

In recent days, you stood strong as 14 colleagues were arrested for showing their resolve in a blockade at the SugarHouse site. You also participated in a community groundbreaking that was so successful it turned Bluhm, Nutter and DiCicco on their heads. The people are in charge.

Please call your legislator today and stay tuned. Next up? Foxwoods has to report to the PGCB on Friday. We've got some ideas.