Rendell: No confidence in casino bill

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - December 22, 2009 -- Gov. Ed Rendell says he no longer is confident that legislators will finish a casino-expansion bill that can deliver more revenue to the cash-strapped state.

Rendell made the statement Tuesday after speaking with top legislators last week. And he repeated his warning that he will have to cut spending again if he doesn't get a bill by Jan. 8.

He says that will mean laying off at least 1,000 state government employees while closing state parks and cutting grants to museums, universities and hospitals.

The bill to legalize table games is supposed to rake in enough new tax revenue from gambling to prevent the layoffs.

But legislators have been stuck on disagreements in the bill for several months and Rendell says he needs to ensure the budget is balanced.

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pennsylvania, casinos, gov. ed rendell, local/state

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