Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge all but completely shut the door on a proposal by state Rep. Dwight Evans (D-Philadelphia), to legalize riverboat gaming in Philadelphia as a way to raise funds for city schools and the construction of new sports stadiums.
Ridge said he "remains firm in my long-held position that approval of a statewide referendum should precede any expanion of gambling in the state."
The governor said Evans should work to build a consensus among his House colleagues for a statewide referendum on the gambling issue.