Resolution 070359

..Title Demanding that the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board vacate the decision made on slot parlor licenses in Philadelphia until it reflects the diversity that the General Assembly required in Section 1212(a) of the Pennsylvania Race Horse Development and Gaming Act, and further authorizing the Committee on Commerce and Economic Development to issue subpoenas to compel the production of documents and other evidence in this matter. ..Body WHEREAS, Section 1212(a) of the Pennsylvania Race Horse Development and Gaming Act states that "it is the intent and goal of the General Assembly that the board promote and ensure diversity in all aspects of the gaming activities authorized under this part and that the board shall work to enhance the representation of diverse groups in the ownership, participation and operation of licensed entities and licensed facilities in this Commonwealth and through the ownership, participation and operation of business enterprises associated with or utilized by licensed entities and licensed facilities"; and WHEREAS, Responding to the General Assembly's mandate in Section 1212(a), several African-Americans had applied for suppliers' licenses. However, Senate Bill 862 amended Section 1317 of the Pennsylvania Race Horse Development and Gaming Act to make it elective for slot machine manufacturers to sell their equipment through licensed suppliers and it is now doubtful that Section 1212(a)'s diversity mandate will be satisfied by the participation of these enterprises; and WHEREAS, For this reason, it is all the more important that the board grant Category 2 slot machine licenses to those applicants whose ownership reflects the diversity that the General Assembly required the board to "promote and ensure" in Section 1212(a); and WHEREAS, The Pennsylvania Partnership Group, an extremely diverse cadre of Philadelphia-based business owners and investors, formed to propose the Riverwalk casino plan with significant minority business and economic inclusion, have appealed the licensing decision of the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board; now therefore RESOLVED, THAT THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, Demands that the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board vacate the decision made on slot parlor licenses in Philadelphia until it reflects the diversity that the General Assembly required in Section 1212(a) of the Pennsylvania Race Horse Development and Gaming Act. FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Commerce and Economic Development Committee is hereby authorized to issue subpoenas as may be necessary or appropriate to compel the production of documents to the full extent authorized under the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter in furtherance of this matter. ..End