June 22, 2005: PA Supreme Court fails to overturn slot machine law; does strike down certain provisions. Read decision here. February 25, 2005 PAGE Fund Brief Filed 2-25-05 CONSTITUTIONAL CHALLENGE TO SLOTS LAW: DETAILED BRIEF FILED TODAY WITH PA SUPREME COURT In the 73-page brief, Plaintiffs Call for Overturn of Pennsylvania's Slot Machine Law Cite Several Constitutional Violations Oral Arguments to be heard March 9th in Pittsburgh. For Immediate Release: Contact: Michael Geer or Tom Shaheen (717) 657-4990 or (717) 545-0600 or (717) 576-1314 (cell) (Harrisburg, February 25, 2005) The slot machine case is now in the hands of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, with oral arguments in a matter of days. Today, following an expedited schedule, attorneys for Pennsylvanians Against Gambling Expansion Fund and a number of other organizations, elected officials and individuals, filed a detailed, 73-page brief with the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, charging that the passage of Pennsylvania's Slot Machine law (Act 71 of 2004) violated numerous provisions of the Pennsylvania Constitution. The Plaintiff's Brief clearly and convincingly argues that the process by which the law was passed violated the "Original Purpose" and "Single Subject" rules of Article III of the Pennsylvania Constitution. The suit also charges that the process violated Article II of the Constitution, and that certain provisions of the law infringe upon constitutionally-mandated Separation of Powers. The net result of this unconstitutional activity was that Pennsylvania citizens generally, and the plaintiffs, specifically, were denied appropriate opportunity to be fully informed and state their positions on the legislation. "We are grateful that the High Court agreed to our request for an expedited hearing of this case," said Michael Geer, President of PAGE Fund. "When ordinary citizens hear the details of the way the slots bill was passed, they are shocked and dismayed," added Geer. "No public hearings, no committee process. No due diligence. No opportunity for rank and file legislators (much less the public) to even read the bill," said Geer. In essence, an orchestrated, legislative train wreck that, if left unchallenged, would embolden the legislature to engage in back-door deal-making. "That is why this case is so vital to good government and the future of our Commonwealth," said Geer. "Whatever a person's position on slot machine gambling, we should all agree that our elected officials should follow the rules they were sworn to uphold." Among those joining with PAGE Fund in the case are: Pennsylvania League of Women Voters, Pennsylvania Family Institute, Sen. Gibson E Armstrong, Reps. Paul Clymer, Greg Vitali, Jerry Stern, and Gibson C. Armstrong, A United Methodist Witness of Pennsylvania and other officials, individuals and organizations representing citizens, taxpayers, businesses, churches and schools that would be impacted by the implementation of this law. Counsel in this case are the firms of West and Long, of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and attorneys from Clymer & Musser of Lancaster. TO VIEW THE MOTION AND PETITION, CLICK THESE LINKS: MOTION TO EXPEDITE      PETITION FOR REVIEW      PAGE FUND BREIF Pennsylvanians Against Gambling Expansion 23 North Front Street Harrisburg PA 17101 (717) 657-4990