HARRISBURG, Pa. —
Pennsylvania Democrats are accusing Senate Republicans of walking away from a deal to legalize skill games during lawmakers’ last session in Harrisburg before the election, which is less than two weeks away.
House and Senate Democrats spoke to reporters shortly after gaveling out, saying a deal had essentially been reached on legalizing the devices, which were ruled to be slot machines by the Supreme Court earlier this year, making them illegal.
While the court’s ruling went into effect last week, lawmakers had months to legalize the devices.
The court’s ruling went into effect last week, but lawmakers could still have moved to legalize the devices, which are typically found in bars, taverns, and social clubs.
House Majority Leader Matt Bradford, a Democrat, criticized Senate Republicans for their actions.
“If you’re one of our social clubs who need these skill games for revenue, the Senate Republicans left town today tail between their legs with no idea how to proceed forward. There was a deal reached. This deal was done. The Senate ran off again because they could not get the vote. How many times we had this conversation at budget season?” Bradford said.
News 8 has reached out to Senate Republicans for a response to the claims made by Democrats.
Since the ruling went into effect, the machines have been deemed illegal, potentially leading to fines and criminal penalties for establishments that fail to remove them or make arrangements with state police to do so.
Lawmakers will not return until November, and it is unclear whether any major pieces of legislation will be passed during the final session days after the election. There is no word on whether additional session days will be scheduled.