Dems looking for a compromise on Pa. Lottery plans

The Corbett administration has signaled that any big changes to the Pennsylvania Lottery are likely to come from working with the state Legislature.

Senate Republicans could soon advance legislation that would give the administration nearly what it wanted when it started pursuing lottery privatization more than a year ago.

But their colleagues across the aisle are urging caution — and hoping to get a word in edgewise.

Senate Democrats remain opposed to outsourcing the lottery’s management.

Other parts of the old privatization plan, however, might be worth considering — such as legalizing keno, the fast-paced drawings that could make the lottery more profitable, said Sen. Jay Costa, minority leader.

“If that’s going to be an issue, we want to participate and we think our participation is necessary … recognizing that we want to maintain as much as possible the current system,” said Costa, D-Allegheny.

The Senate GOP holds a slim majority, so unless it can count on nearly all its members to vote for a bill changing the lottery, the caucus would need some Democratic support.