Allegheny County Democratic Rep. Dan Frankel is joining forces with Casino Employees Against Smoking Effects and the United Auto Workers to lead a rally outside of Rivers Casino Pittsburgh on Thursday during the National Council of Legislators For Gaming States meetings.
Frankel introduced a bill, Protecting Workers from Secondhand Smoke Act, that would ban smoking inside all Pennsylvania casinos. After the bill has stalled on the House floor, Frankel and casino employees are taking action during the NCLGS meeting, where hundreds of top-level lawmakers, as well as gambling executives, will be on-hand.
Frankel told PlayPennsylvania on Tuesday afternoon:
“For too long, casino workers have suffered from the ill-effects of secondhand smoke, even as we have eliminated indoor smoking from other workplaces in the state. Today, we bring their fight right to the doorstep of the decision makers.
“This rally highlights the pressing need for Pennsylvania to enact comprehensive indoor smoke-free legislation. Casino workers deserve workplaces free from secondhand smoke—because no one should have to choose between their health and their paycheck. It’s time for Pennsylvania to step up and lead by example, ensuring that our casinos are safe and healthy workplaces for all.”
PA casinos employees to share powerful stories
The NCLGS meetings begin this week on July 17 through July 20. The conference is comprised of hundreds of state lawmakers who discuss and coordinate issues in the gambling industry.
Smoking is considered to be a hot-button issue in the Pennsylvania gambling, but the polarizing topic is not slated to be on the agenda. According to a press release sent to PlayPennsylvania, casino workers plan to “share powerful stories on secondhand smoke exposure.”
Jen Rubolino, co-leader of CEASE PA, has shared her story with PlayPennsylvania last September. Rubolino, also a table games dealer at Rivers Casino Pittsburgh, needed to see a doctor in order to get a non-smoking accommodation. Otherwise, she would have had to quit a job she loves.
Frankel has been an advocate of smoke-free casinos for some time. In a statement last November, he said:
“We are the Health Committee – it’s in the name. We cannot refuse to act while thousands of Pennsylvanians are forced to choose between an absolutely undebatable health hazard and their ability to put food on the table.”
Frankel, along with many PA casino workers, are going to have a chance to voice their displeasures with the allowance of smoking inside properties, similar to the latest rally it held last month at the State Capitol.
Smoking bill has stalled on House floor
The Protecting Workers from Secondhand Smoke Act passed through the House committee in November after Frankel revealed to PlayPennsylvania he was totally certain it would.
However, since then, there has been no movement on the bill. A hearing to pass amendments to the legislation was pulled from the agenda last April. There is no timetable, yet, to put it back on. Frankel’s office told PlayPennsylvania of the snag:
“Unfortunately, it was just pulled from the agenda because some reps near Atlantic City raised concerns that we will need to work out to ensure that we have the votes. We just need to educate folks more, I think.”
Frankel had originally wanted the bill on Gov. Josh Shapiro‘s desk by March of April. While that it now out of the question, a more realistic timeline might be the end of the year. Before Shapiro sees the bill, the following steps must be completed:
- Pass it on the House floor
- Send to Senate to go through above steps
- Send to Senate floor
Frankel and casino employees are showing urgency, demonstrating a second rally in as many months. Hopefully, this time, they’ll be heard, and there will be movement on the bill.
