State News-Tuesday, Nov. 14th

WILKES-BARRE, Pa. (AP) - Casino officials are bracing for an onslaught of gamblers today as Pennsylvania's first slot-machine parlor opens to the public. The opening of Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs comes more than two years after the Legislature authorized gambling to raise money for property tax relief. The Mohegan Indian tribe of Connecticut owns the Pocono Downs harness racing complex near Wilkes-Barre. The tribe spent 70 million dollars on a nicely appointed but no-frills slots parlor. It includes two gambling floors with nearly eleven-hundred machines, a bar, and a food court with three restaurants. The casino can hold 36-hundred people. Officials warn that if the crowd for the 10 a-m opening is too large, people will
be turned away.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Would-be owners of slot-machine gambling parlors in Philadelphia are trying to distinguish themselves. For example, one applicant says not having an interest in an Atlantic City casino should count in his company's favor. His argument was that New Jersey's lower taxes would be an incentive to neglect a Philadelphia casino to drive business to Atlantic City. Two of the five applicants for the two Philadelphia licenses are companies that run Atlantic City casinos. In addition to slots applicants about a dozen antigambling activists showed up for the hearing. It continues today and tomorrow in Harrisburg.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - A rank-and-file House Democrat says he plans to challenge current Democratic Leader H. William DeWeese when the caucus has its leadership elections today. Representative Thomas Tangretti of Westmoreland County says he would involve more rank-and-file members in policymaking and try to make the Legislature more open to the public. Tangretti also says the aftermath of last year's legislative pay raise has given lawmakers an opportunity to improve state government. Voters ousted 24 incumbent lawmakers in the primary and general elections. A spokesman for DeWeese isn't commenting on Tangretti's
candidacy. Republican caucus leadership elections are also scheduled for tomorrow. House Majority Leader Sam Smith is being challenged by Representative Curt Schroder of Chester County.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - A spokesman for U-S Representative Chaka Fattah says the congressman plans "a major announcement" on Saturday. But spokesman Solomon Jones won't say whether Fattah is planning to run for mayor of Philadelphia. Fattah is one of several Philadelphia Democrats who are considered likely candidates for mayor next year. Former City Councilman Michael Nutter already says he will run. Other likely candidates include state Representative Dwight Evans, former City Controller Jonathan Saidel and businessman Tom Knox.

FARMERS BRANCH, Texas (AP) - City Council members in a suburb of Dallas, Texas, have unanimously approved tough new measures cracking down on illegal immigration. Last night's unanimous votes by the Farmers Branch City Council follow similar laws passed in Hazleton. The laws in Hazleton have been imitated by dozens of municipalities nationwide, but Farmers Branch is the first city in Texas to do so. Such ordinances have troubled many people in Texas, where many Latino families can trace their roots to the era before statehood. Farmers Branch has approved fines for landlords that deal with illegal immigrants. Council members also decided to allow local authorities to screen suspects in police custody to see whether they are in the country illegally.

HAZLETON, Pa. (AP) - The legal defense fund supporting Hazleton's crackdown on illegal immigration has gotten a ten-thousand dollar donation. The donation from Philadelphia cheesesteak impresario Joey Vento brings the total to 45-thousand dollars. Hazleton Mayor Lou Barletta says he expects the cost of defending the law will far exceed what he has on hand even with Vento's donation. Hazleton's laws would impose fines on landlords who rent to illegal immigrants and deny business permits to companies that give them jobs. A federal judge says the city may not enforce its crackdown for now while he hears arguments about whether it's legal. Vento's business, Geno's Steaks, got national attention for its signs telling customers, "This is America: When Ordering 'Please Speak English."