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Committee chairman agrees to move out Josephs' slots buffer zone bill

HARRISBURG, Oct. 24 – At a Capitol news conference today, state Rep. Babette Josephs, D-Phila., announced that the House Gaming Oversight Committee has agreed to vote on her bill that would require a 1,500-foot buffer zone between neighborhoods and casinos in Philadelphia.

The news conference was held by the Philly Neighborhood Alliance to urge movement on Josephs' bill, which has been stuck in committee since its introduction.

"Today I received a promise from Chairman Harold James that he would call for a vote on my bill," Josephs said. "I do not know exactly when that will be, but a vote will happen. And I am urging all members of Casino Free Philadelphia and others who oppose the current proposed locations of the casinos to talk to every member of the Gaming Oversight Committee to urge a 'yes' vote."

Josephs' legislation (H.B. 1477) would require a 1,500-foot buffer zone between schools, churches, playgrounds and casinos in Philadelphia. She introduced the bill earlier this year after the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board did not take the concerns of the residents who live next to the proposed casino locations.

"Many Philadelphians are upset by the planned locations of the casinos because of the impact they will have on the surrounding community -- and rightly so," Josephs said. "Casinos increase traffic and draw crowds, and the people who live in the adjacent neighborhoods will be affected by these things every day.

"Creating this buffer zone is a way to maintain their quality of life," she said, adding that an unofficial poll last spring showed that 95 percent of voters wanted casinos banned from within 1,500 feet of schools, residential neighborhoods, playgrounds and places of worship.

Josephs has advocated for more local involvement and oversight since the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board first began considering awarding slots licenses in the city.

The Philly Neighborhood Alliance is a coalition of organizations and residents who oppose the current proposed locations of the two slots facilities licensed in Philadelphia.

HARRISBURG, Oct. 24 – At a Capitol news conference today, state Rep. Babette Josephs, D-Phila., announced that the House Gaming Oversight Committee has agreed to vote on her bill that would require a 1,500-foot buffer zone between neighborhoods and casinos in Philadelphia. The news conference was held by the Philly Neighborhood Alliance to urge movement on Josephs' bill, which has been stuck in committee since its introduction. "Today I received a promise from Chairman Harold James that he would call for a vote on my bill," Josephs said. "I do not know exactly when that will be, but a vote will happen. And I am urging all members of Casino Free Philadelphia and others who oppose the current proposed locations of the casinos to talk to every member of the Gaming Oversight Committee to urge a 'yes' vote." Josephs' legislation (H.B. 1477) would require a 1,500-foot buffer zone between schools, churches, playgrounds and casinos in Philadelphia. She introduced the bill earlier this year after the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board did not take the concerns of the residents who live next to the proposed casino locations. "Many Philadelphians are upset by the planned locations of the casinos because of the impact they will have on the surrounding community -- and rightly so," Josephs said. "Casinos increase traffic and draw crowds, and the people who live in the adjacent neighborhoods will be affected by these things every day. "Creating this buffer zone is a way to maintain their quality of life," she said, adding that an unofficial poll last spring showed that 95 percent of voters wanted casinos banned from within 1,500 feet of schools, residential neighborhoods, playgrounds and places of worship. Josephs has advocated for more local involvement and oversight since the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board first began considering awarding slots licenses in the city. The Philly Neighborhood Alliance is a coalition of organizations and residents who oppose the current proposed locations of the two slots facilities licensed in Philadelphia.