Join the Stop Casino Corruption Call-in

As Harrisburg considers expanding gambling, we want you to contact your representative -- today - to remind them that our communities are more important than the tons of cash contributed by the casino industry.

This coming Tuesday, an important House committee will vote on a massive expansion of gambling. The casino lobby is pushing hard to get table games, and there's a similar push to put 5 video poker machines (indistinguishable from slots) in every bar, tavern and restaurant in every neighborhood in PA.
The key committee members to contact are:

· Rep. William F. Keller, (215) 271-9190, wkeller@pahouse.net

· Rep. Michael O'Brien, (215) 503-3245, mobrien@pahouse.net

· Rep. Curtis Thomas, (215) 560-3261, cthomas@pahouse.net

Contact them today. Here is what we recommend you say:

1. Tell them to oppose video poker and table games - or else you will vote them out of office.

2. Tell them to publicly call for House leaders Dwight Evans and Bill DeWeese to disclose how much money they've taken from the casino and video poker industry -- and to return that money before allowing any votes. Yes, return the money.

The push for an expansion of predatory gambling reeks of corruption. The recent Common Cause study documents millions of dollars in campaign contributions from the gambling industry to state political leaders, such as Rep. Dwight Evans (over $44,000) and Rep. Bill DeWeese (over $30,000). Sure, the Republicans also took tons of money, but at present it's Evans and DeWeese (and of course the Governor, the number-one recipient of casino money on the Common Cause list) who are pushing to expand gambling. With your help, we can push back.

Call the three officials listed above. They vote on Tuesday.

The second largest recipient of casino money listed in the Common Cause report was the architect of the slots law, former Senator Vince Fumo. This Tuesday, as the Gaming Oversight Committee votes on a massive expansion of predatory gambling, former Senator Fumo will receive his sentence for his corruption conviction. Did he also commit crimes relating to the casinos? How about crimes committed by politicians still in office? We'll be outside the federal courthouse at 6th and Market Streets in Philadelphia where the Fumo's sentencing hearing will be taking place to ask these and other important questions. Please join us there at 9:30 AM.

The predatory gambling trade has millions to contribute to state politicians. Philadelphia has you -- and you can make your voice count. Please call Reps. Keller, O'Brien and Thomas now. Forward this email to a few friends and ask them to do the same.

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