FUMO PRAISES NUTTER RIPARIAN RIGHTS DECISION

     PHILADELPHIA, January 24, 2008 – State Senator Vince Fumo (D-Philadelphia) today issued the following statement regarding Mayor Michael Nutter’s decision to revoke a license, issued by the City of Philadelphia under the previous administration, for use of riparian lands in the Delaware River to the developers of the proposed Sugarhouse casino.

     Fumo testified at a City Commerce Department hearing in November that the city could not grant the license because such authority was reserved for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, which owns the submerged lands. He also joined with six other legislators on December 26 to appeal the city’s decision to the state Supreme Court.
 

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     “The mayor’s action today is welcome news for Pennsylvania taxpayers, who are rightful owners the riparian lands, and for everyone who wants to see laws properly followed as we establish our new casino gambling industry.

     “We are heartened that the city found our legal objections persuasive, and has decided to rescind the Commerce Department’s licensing action.

     “Though it is unclear how today’s action will affect the fundamental legal issues involved in our appeal, we note that the city has agreed with our position that the 1907 law has little life and was never intended to permit construction of casinos on public land.”
 

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