Latest news with #DanLaughlin
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Pennsylvania Senate weighing bill to tax, regulate skill games
The Pennsylvania Senate is considering Senate Bill 756, which aims to tax and regulate skill games that have been unregulated in the state for nearly a decade. Senate Bill 756 proposes a 35% tax on skill game machines, limits establishments to seven machines, and sets an age limit of 21 for participants. The bill seeks to address the widespread presence of skill games in Pennsylvania, which have been compared to slot machines but operate without regulation. Charges filed after 400+ illegal gambling devices seized in Pennsylvania 'These 'skill games', they're literally everywhere now and they're taking quite a bite out of the pockets of both our consumers and our casino businesses,' said Dan Laughlin, Pennsylvania State Senator. Mike Barley, Chief Public Affairs Officer at Pace-O-Matic, expressed opposition to the bill, stating, 'This was always trying to find a balance between protecting the revenue that small businesses and fraternal clubs make while providing some benefit to the state, and unfortunately, this bill falls woefully short.' Skill games are prevalent in various locations such as convenience stores, gas stations, and laundromats, but advocates argue that local businesses and clubs will be most affected by the proposed regulation. These establishments, including American Legions and VFWs, have relied on the revenue from skill games for community-driven purposes. Governor Shapiro proposes regulations for skill games in budget address Senator Dan Laughlin acknowledged the importance of skill games to establishments like VFWs and bars, noting their role in business models. However, he emphasized the need to address the proliferation of these games, which he described as mini-casinos. Mike Barley highlighted the community benefits provided by skill games revenue, such as funding for volunteer firefighter equipment and community support initiatives by fraternal clubs. He warned that the bill could cut off access to significant funds for these purposes. An alternative proposal suggests aligning the tax rate for skill games with the table games tax rate that casinos pay, indicating ongoing negotiations and potential changes to the bill. As lawmakers continue to debate Senate Bill 756, the impact on small businesses and community organizations remains a contentious issue. Both supporters and opponents of the bill are looking for a resolution that balances state benefits with local needs. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now All facts from this article were gathered by WJET/WFXP journalists. This article was converted into this format with assistance from artificial intelligence. It has been edited and approved by WJET/WFXP staff Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Up in smoke– PA Senate committee rejects House-backed bill to legalize marijuana
Pennsylvanians will have to wait longer for legal recreational marijuana after a Senate committee vote Tuesday. Just last week, the PA House of Representatives passed House Bill 1200, which would have legalized recreational marijuana in Pennsylvania under a state store model, but earlier today, the Senate Law and Justice Committee, led by Dan Laughlin, voted 7 to 3 to reject that proposal. Construction on new Edison Elementary progressing after initial delays 'There are serious challenges we can and should address right now,' said Laughlin. 'Our medical marijuana program needs critical reforms. Hemp-derived THC products are being sold openly in gas stations and tobacco shops with no regulation, no testing and no age verification. And the continued reliance on the black market poses real risks to public safety.' Laughlin said these problems could be addressed more effectively through the creation of a Cannabis Control Board, which would help regulate the state's medical marijuana program. Erie community shows support for new pope at special mass 'I have said repeatedly that a state-store model for adult-use cannabis will not pass the Senate. That's not an opinion, it's a fact,' said Laughlin. 'The House moving HB 1200 forward and sending it to the Senate was not a serious effort to legalize cannabis. It was a political move meant to shift blame for inaction, when I have yet to receive a single call from House leadership or the bill sponsors to discuss the concept.' Senator Laughlin said he remains committed to crafting a cannabis bill that would benefit all Pennsylvanians, but said a state-store model for recreational cannabis use will not pass in the Senate. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Pennsylvania Senate lawmakers reject recreational marijuana bill
HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM) — Nearly a week after Pennsylvania House lawmakers passed a bill to legalize recreational marijuana, State Senators voted it down during a committee hearing earlier this morning. On Wednesday, May 7, H.B. 1200, also known as the Cannabis Health & Safety Act, passed on party lines, with 102 Democrats voting yea, and 101 Republicans voting nay. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now This vote came after the bill passed through a House committee back on May 5. SPOTLIGHT PA: What's next for marijuana in PA? Earlier today, the Republican-controlled Senate Law and Justice Committee held a hearing to discuss H.B. 1200, and to decide whether or not to put it to a vote in front of the whole Pennsylvania Senate. The committee ended up voting down the legalization bill by a vote of 7 to 3, with one abstention. Chair of the Senate Law and Justice Committee, Sen. Dan Laughlin (R-Erie) took to social media saying that a 'state-store model for adult-use cannabis won't pass the Senate; its a fact, not an opinion. The House's advancement of H.B. 1200 to the Senate wasn't a genuine legalization effort but political theater. I haven't received any discussions from House leadership or bill sponsors.' He continued by saying, 'I remain committed to crafting a cannabis bill that can pass the Senate and be signed into law to benefit all Pennsylvanians. That starts with honest dialogue from everyone involved, including House leadership and the governor, to develop a realistic approach, not political theater.' With H.B. 1200 having gone up in smoke, negotiations on Governor Josh Shapiro's budget plan remain underway. Back in February, Gov. Shapiro proposed a $51.5 billion budget for Pennsylvania, which included a call to legalize marijuana. As part of Shapiro's budget plan, he needs a surplus of cash and new money streams to support future expenditures. These hypothetical money streams included raising an estimated $1.2 billion from legalizing adult-use marijuana and expanding how the corporate net income tax is applied and introducing taxes on skill games. The final budget is due on June 30. abc27 news will keep you updated as more information becomes available. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Pa. recreational marijuana legalization bill fails to make it out of committee
Medical marijuana is legal in Pennsylvania, but recreational use is still being debated. (Getty Images) Less than one week after the state House passed a recreational marijuana bill that would put the commonwealth in charge of sales, a Senate committee voted it down. Sen. Dan Laughlin (R-Erie), chair of the Senate Justice & Law panel, has authored legislation that would legalize adult-use cannabis, but said he's 'made it pretty crystal clear' that he doesn't believe in the state store model included in House Bill 1200. Laughlin mentioned that he supported the provisions in House Bill 1200 about no public smoking and handling of DUI's. But, he went through a list of disagreements he had which centered around sales being run by the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board, regulations surrounding home-grow, and the impact it would have on the state's budget and economy. House Bill 1200 failed by a 7-3 vote in the Senate Law & Justice Committee on Tuesday. 'I don't view this as a small business-friendly proposal, either,' Laughlin said on Tuesday. 'And the small business, free market approach to adult-use cannabis is very dear to me.' Laughlin also said he thinks the state selling cannabis and alcohol sends a wrong message to the citizens of the commonwealth and advocated for the creation of a Pennsylvania Cannabis Control Board, should recreational marijuana be legalized. Senate President Pro Tempore Kim Ward (R-Westmoreland) and Sen. Devlin Robinson (R-Allegheny), who also both voted against it, highlighted the fact that the federal government still classifies marijuana as an illegal substance. 'How do we pay state employees with money that is coming from a federally illegal entity or action?' Ward asked. 'We pay state employees. We're going to pay them in cash?' SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Sen. Lisa Boscola (D-Northampton) said she supports the legalization of marijuana, specifically the proposal drafted by Laughlin and state Sen. Sharif Street (D-Philadelphia). But, she said she couldn't support House Bill 1200. 'I don't think it's a serious attempt to advance legalizing marijuana legislation, and I know it has no chance of passing the Senate,' Boscola said. 'So, until we get a little bit more serious and you show me a bill that can pass the Senate and we can all support, I'll be there for you on this issue. I just can't do it today. I need a better bill.' Sen. Christine Tartaglione (D-Philadelphia) said she supported the bill crafted by Laughlin and Street, but also voted in favor of House Bill 1200 on Tuesday. 'This is a start, and we can build on this,' Targtaglione said. 'Think of it as a vehicle that we can use.' Tartaglione also criticized what she viewed as the lack of notice given to the committee about the vote and said all four caucuses need to sit down to hash out an agreement on a marijuana legalization proposal. Laughlin said he believes there's 'certainly space for compromise' on a marijuana legalization proposal, but also expected more back-and-forth between the lawmakers to come up with a bill that could pass both chambers. 'We are not going to get there with this model, at least,' Laughlin said. 'I believe that if there's a path to getting adult-use cannabis passed, the governor himself is going to have to roll his sleeves up and help do some of the work,' Laughlin added. 'I have not seen that yet.' Shapiro has called for marijuana legalization since he's taken office, describing the matter as an issue of competitiveness and justice. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Forbes
13-05-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Pennsylvania Senate Panel Votes Against Cannabis Legalization Bill
A Pennsylvania state Senate legislative committee this week voted down a recreational cannabis legalization bill that was passed by the state House of Representatives last week. The measure, HB 1200, was rejected by the Senate Law and Justice Committee on Tuesday by a vote of 7-3, according to a report from online cannabis news outlet Marijuana Moment. The cannabis legalization bill was swiftly approved by the Democrat-majority Pennsylvania House of Representatives last week after being introduced only days earlier. If passed into law, the bill would have legalized cannabis for adults aged 21 and older and set up a system for regulated sales of recreational marijuana. Republican state Sen. Dan Laughlin, a supporter of a separate bipartisan cannabis legalization bill, said during a Law and Justice Committee meeting to consider HB 1200 that legalizing marijuana should be a more collaborative process. 'I really expected a little bit of back-and-forth discussions and work on these bills if we are going to truly put a product on the governor's desk, we are not going to get there—with this model, at least,' Laughlin said. Democrats control both the governor's mansion and the state House of Representatives, while Republicans have a majority in the state Senate. And although Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro has publicly signaled support for legalizing marijuana, Laughlin said the governor has failed to forge the consensus needed for a cannabis legalization bill to succeed. 'I believe that, if there's a path to getting adult-use cannabis passed, the governor himself is going to have to roll his sleeves up and help do some of the work,' he said. 'I have not seen that yet, but hopefully we can get there—and I know it's going to be a vigorously discussed process, so I look forward to working…to try and get a passable version through the Senate, through the House and off to the governor.' The bill passed by the House of Representatives last week would have legalized recreational marijuana sales by establishing a network of cannabis dispensaries operated by the state Liquor Control Board, while private companies would be responsible for cultivating cannabis and manufacturing marijuana products. Commenting on the plan for state-run dispensaries, Laughlin said that 'the state being involved in selling potentially cannabis and alcohol is just a wrong message to send to our citizens.' 'We also have objections from the beer, wine and distilled spirit stakeholders,' he added. 'And while the alcohol industry is generally supportive of the legalization of cannabis, the idea of sharing already-limited shelf space for the federally illegal product is sure to be met with logistical and business-related objections.' Prior to the committee vote on Tuesday, Pennsylvania Republican Attorney General Dave Sunday, who has expressed opposition to legalizing cannabis in the past, signaled support for a marijuana policy reform bill, Marijuana Moment reported. He added, however, that he is not in favor of HB 1200. 'At this point with what we know—and with all the information out there that we haven't even looked at yet—I'm not supportive of this current legislation,' Sunday told WTAJ. 'But it doesn't mean I won't be at some time in the future,' he said, adding, 'I will continue to be a voice for public safety on this issue.'
