Santoni says Fajt is good choice for gaming board

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
State Rep. Dante Santoni D-Berks
www.pahouse.com/Santoni

Santoni says Fajt is good choice for gaming board

HARRISBURG, April 22 – House Gaming Oversight Committee Chairman Dante Santoni, D-Berks, today said Gov. Ed Rendell made a good choice in selecting Greg Fajt to replace Mary D. Colins as chairman of the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board.

Colins confirmed today she would be stepping down from the board in a few weeks. Fajt, an attorney and certified public accountant, has been Rendell's chief of staff since 2007. Before that he served the Commonwealth as revenue secretary and representative for the 42nd Legislative District in Allegheny County.

"I served with Greg Fajt in the House and know him to be an independent-minded, honorable man who takes his job seriously and his commitment to the public sincerely," Santoni said.

Santoni characterized Fajt's experience as a "perfect fit" for the chairman job. As revenue secretary he oversaw the Pennsylvania Lottery and was in the job when the Gaming Control Board was formed.

"Greg knows the law, he knows the numbers and he knows Pennsylvania's gaming industry," Santoni said. "And, importantly, he understands the purpose of slot machine gaming as it relates to property tax relief, tourism, the state's horse racing industry, economic development and thousands of jobs. He is a great choice for leading this board as the gaming industry moves forward."

The Gaming Control Board oversees the licensing and operation of slot machines in the state.
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