A Call for Pennsylvania Poker Players

[blutarski]

I'm interested in starting an informal group for pennsylvanian poker players. The purpose of the group would be to try to do some lobbying on the state level.

My goals are:

1. To lobby state representatives to allow poker rooms in the new slot parlors opening around the state, and;

2. To investigate the feasibility of putting a ballot initiative to legalize online poker in the state on the 08 ballot.

Respond to this post and I'll contact you via e-mail.

Chris Russo

[palpablepreen]

Pennsylvania doesn't have ballot initiatives. The only questions on the ballot are bonds and constitutional amendments, both of which originate in the legislature.

[pa3lsvt]

[ QUOTE ]
Pennsylvania doesn't have ballot initiatives. The only questions on the ballot are bonds and constitutional amendments, both of which originate in the legislature.

[/ QUOTE ]

This is correct. That said, OP can feel free to PM me as I am a Pennsylvania poker player.

[5thStreetHog]

[ QUOTE ]
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Pennsylvania doesn't have ballot initiatives. The only questions on the ballot are bonds and constitutional amendments, both of which originate in the legislature.

[/ QUOTE ]

This is correct. That said, OP can feel free to PM me as I am a Pennsylvania poker player.

[/ QUOTE ]

[Autocratic]

I am originally from PA, and may be working in DC for a PA House member within the next 6 months.

[Lottery Larry]

I thought you were from Cali?

[Karak567]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Pennsylvania doesn't have ballot initiatives. The only questions on the ballot are bonds and constitutional amendments, both of which originate in the legislature.

[/ QUOTE ]

This is correct. That said, OP can feel free to PM me as I am a Pennsylvania poker player.

[/ QUOTE ]

[/ QUOTE ]

[No Fizzle]

[ QUOTE ]
OP can feel free to PM me as I am a Pennsylvania poker player.

[/ QUOTE ]

[cowboy.up]

PA resident too - let me know what you had in mind.

[4_2_it]

[ QUOTE ]
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OP can feel free to PM me as I am a Pennsylvania poker player.

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[/ QUOTE ]

Schwartz -- US Rep.
Murt -- State Rep
Greenleaf -- State Senator

[jamzfive]

Gerlach -- US Rep.
Vereb -- State Rep (as of new Session)
Dinniman -- State Senator

[2nicolette]

I am interested.

Not that it makes much diffenrence, but I am also an elected official. Municipal Council.

[webmonarch]

Yeah, let me say officially that allowing slots, compared to poker, blackjack, etc. is awesomely bad policy.

I don't play slots, for obvious reasons, so I have no interest in going to the new places. Poker would get me and others to show up, further inflating the state's coffers.

I'm originally from PA, there pretty often, and am interested, though I'm not a PA voter.

[MayorHerb]

[ QUOTE ]
I am interested.

Not that it makes much diffenrence, but I am also an elected official. Municipal Council.

[/ QUOTE ]

Same here..

[_Kindred_]

I'm in P.A., in the Poconos near one of the planned "stand alone" slots parlors. Would love if they would open a card room, don't plan to play any slots. Don't know how much help I can be but I vote, feel free to PM me.

[2nicolette]

From the Pittsburgh Tribune Review "HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) -- Rep. Bill DeWeese, who is expected to become speaker of the House in January, is drafting a bill that would legalize poker, blackjack and other table games Pennsylvania's gambling halls"

This may be a start. Let's see what we can do to get behind this.

[5thStreetHog]

Im down with that.Goooo Deweezzee!!!!!!!!

[goldtoes]

PA player here...feel free to PM me.

[blutarski]

I'm sorry for not getting back to anyone yet...things got too busy for a bit.

I read the news about DeWeese's plans and I'm wondering if we should try to coordinate with him (write letters at opportune times, make phone calls, etc.)

I'll start PM'ing people this weekend. I don't really have any set plan, just know I want to do something.

[frommagio]

PA player here, feel free to PM.

Hey, maybe we can get a NL STT going here in the Pittsburgh area while we wait a decade for our govt to figure out why their slots aren't making money.

[poody56]

I saw the article in my local paper also regarding DeWeese's plan to draft this bill. Rendell says he will veto it due to the fact that we don't know how well the slot parlors will do and he wants to wait a few years to think about legalizing table games. It looks like Rendell should be our target of emails and letters letting him know that PA poker players will still travel to AC to play. Lets get writing! Here is the governors contact information: http://www.governor.state.pa.us/governor/cwp/view.asp?a=1117&q=437853&governorNav=|

[rando]

Add me to your PM list, as I play plenty in PA, online and live. Adding cards rooms would give me a reason to set foor in one of those places that are currently "slot parlors" and what a sucker you must be to hand over money to the banditos.

[No Fizzle]

[ QUOTE ]

Hey, maybe we can get a NL STT going here in the Pittsburgh area while we wait a decade for our govt to figure out why their slots aren't making money.

[/ QUOTE ]

Let's do eeeeet. PM me about this as well!

[2nicolette]

Here is my first step. I told you all that I am a member of my Municpal Council. I also served on the school district's Act 1 Tax Panel. Anway, when there are legislative issues that profoundly affect the municipality, we pass a resolution foralizing our stance on the matter and we send a copy of the resolution to our State Reps and the legislative committee of the PLCM.

At our next Council meeting, Wednesday night, I am going to bring up this potential Bill and explain that by allowing table games of skill like poker, and table games of chance like blackjack, PA will realize more gaming revenue and thus the property tax relief promised under Act 1 will benefit our resident sooner than would be the case with slots-only gaming.

Even if I don't get the support for the resolution, I will put this issue in front of many voter, in particular, senior citizens that vote and will realize the most property tax relief

I know that there is a Mayor of another PA town on this list, maybe he should do the same.

As an aside, I talked to our local state senator back in August and brought up the fact that I would like poker at the slots parlors. I asked him what I could do to make this a reality and he told me that it was only a matter of two years because he knew it was inevitable.

[DRD66]

Just glanced at this thread, will read more thoroughly later. I live in Pittsburgh, and saw a similar article in the Post-Gazette today. Not to be a killjoy, but don't expect much out of the DeWeese idea.

From the article:
"'I don't believe there is any support in the Senate for doing that,' said (state senator) Ms. Orie. 'This [table games bill] is a routine that [Mr. DeWeese] does every year.'"
and
"That means table games 'probably won't happen during my watch,' he (Rendell) said, meaning before he leaves office in January 2011." Full article (http://postgazette.com/pg/06334/742414-336.stm)

However, I DO think contacting Representatives still has value. Here in Pittsburgh, the slots license has not been issued, and projected revenue is a major criteria determining who gets the go-ahead. My wife would be considered a slot player, and therefore potential revenue, by the standard being used. The PA plan assumes those now going to WV or AC for slots will stay in PA when slots are available here. However, the only time my wife plays is when she visits a casino with me, and I only play poker. This means PA ain't seeing a dime of our $$, but we'll be dropping some bux at Mountaineer if they add poker tables. I'm sure there are a significant number of other people who fit this bill, and those voices should be heard.

[Sluss]

[ QUOTE ]
I saw the article in my local paper also regarding DeWeese's plan to draft this bill. Rendell says he will veto it due to the fact that we don't know how well the slot parlors will do and he wants to wait a few years to think about legalizing table games. It looks like Rendell should be our target of emails and letters letting him know that PA poker players will still travel to AC to play. Lets get writing! Here is the governors contact information: http://www.governor.state.pa.us/governor/cwp/view.asp?a=1117&q=437853&governorNav=|

[/ QUOTE ]

DeWeese obviously brings this up because they are really set and would love to have riverboat gambling in the Pittsburgh area. It would bring even more people to the waterfront area's which has always been their revitalization plan.

Although it is a good idea to send an e-mail to Rendell voicing your support for a table games bill. Rendell is a very good politician, he knows that while the Democracts have barely taken control of the State House the Republicans are still in control of the State Senate and alot of the one's left are those hard ass conservatives that didn't want the slots to start with.

What Rendell wants is a good disscussion and some sort of compromise without him having to pick a side. He certainly does not want this as ammo against him, even though from the beginning he has wanted full casinos in PA. What we need to point out to our State Senators and Reps is that this is good for more property tax revenue. Will keep more people in the state (not going to WVA and AC) to gamble. And we need to strike while the iron is hot. With online poker becoming more difficult to do, there are many PA poker players who are looking for poker rooms. Their option is either trips to AC or staying here at home. We would much prefer tham to be at home.

[blutarski]

First, I've PM people who said they were interested in getting organized. Let me know if you didn't get a message and still want one.

Basically, all my message does is ask for ways that we can have some type of planning meeting/brainstorming session on how best to make our voices heard. This site isn't really workable and e-mail would be ridiculous. I was thinking of some type of chat format, but I don't have any idea how to go about getting a chat room. Any thoughts or suggestions?

Finally, I sent an e-mail to Deweese last week, still waiting on a response:

Speaker DeWeese,

I am a voting democrat who loves to play poker. In light of the recent federal legislation against online poker, I have begun informally organizing other Pennyslvanian players to have our voice heard.

We were quite happy to hear about your plans to introduce a bill legalizing poker and other table games. Me, especially, since I live just down the road from Gettysburg!

We want to let you know that you have our support in this endeavor.

Also, we would like to offer our assistance in any way that will help the passage of the upcoming bill. Feel free to contact me to discuss how best we can assist you (i.e. letters, phone calls to other officials at crucial times, public testimony, etc.)

Thank you for your bold action and your attention to this message. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Sincerely,

Chris Russo

[blutarski]

One suggestion I've received is to meet via AIM instant messaging. Is this an option for everyone?

[beachbum]

[ QUOTE ]
I thought you were from Cali?

[/ QUOTE ]

I am from Cali. I found this by googling myself, LOL.

- The real Chris Russo

[Nepa]

[ QUOTE ]
One suggestion I've received is to meet via AIM instant messaging. Is this an option for everyone?

[/ QUOTE ]

You never responded to my PM. I do not have an AIM account but I'm sure I can set one up.

[blutarski]

I haven't gotten much of a response regarding the AIM idea, so why don't we do some brainstorming on this thread?


Here are some topics for discussion:

1. Do we want to formalize our group as far as coming up with a name, developing a mission statement, and designing letter head?

2. Do we want to focus on the proposed Deweese bill or some other goal, such as legalizing online poker in the state?

3. What is everyone's comfort level regarding political action? Writing letters? Making phone calls? Media interviews?

Also, it was suggested that everyone post who their reps are and that is a good idea.

Mine are:
US Rep- Platts
State Rep- DePasquale

[BodogBlackAmex]

my dad is the PA senator. harrisburg 4 life.

[Nepa]

[ QUOTE ]
I haven't gotten much of a response regarding the AIM idea, so why don't we do some brainstorming on this thread?


Here are some topics for discussion:

1. Do we want to formalize our group as far as coming up with a name, developing a mission statement, and designing letter head?

2. Do we want to focus on the proposed Deweese bill or some other goal, such as legalizing online poker in the state?

3. What is everyone's comfort level regarding political action? Writing letters? Making phone calls? Media interviews?

Also, it was suggested that everyone post who their reps are and that is a good idea.

Mine are:
US Rep- Platts
State Rep- DePasquale

[/ QUOTE ]

I'm planning on Meeting with my Reps in Person. My reps are State Senator James Rhoades State Rep. Neil Goodman.

I'm pretty sure that Goodman will be on board but I'm not sure were Senator Rhoades stands.

I know in Pennsylvania there are not too many ballot measures but my question would be would this be able to be a ballot measure and if so do you think it has any chance of passing?

I believe that we should focus first on trying to reform the BINGO and small games of chance laws in pennsylvania to allow poker. Heck, A lot of Fire Companies and Non-profits around here are running weekly or monthly poker tournaments already against the law. Then focus on attaching an amendment that allows Off track betting sites to run raked poker games. Basically, this would legalize poker almost everywhere in the state of Pennsylvania.

I'm 100 percent sure that this will pass if put to the floor. How is someone going to vote against non-profits and fire companies?

Last Note: Does anyone remember about 15-20 years ago when someone slipped language into a law that legalized poker in all bars in Pennsylvaia for a short period of time? The loophole was closed as soon as it was found. I would love if they pass this again as well.

Edit: Online poker is already legal in PA as far as I know.