Opposition to Pa. Lottery privatization begins to coalesce

As a proposal to privatize the Pennsylvania Lottery draws more opposition, Gov. Tom Corbett says his administration may hold a hearing on the bid by a British company.

First came word this week the Corbett administration is considering extending the deadline of the private bid on the Pennsylvania Lottery, meaning a decision wouldn’t be due by the end of the year.

Now, Corbett says his office is thinking about holding a hearing on the matter.

The recent cracks in the administration’s resolve to lease the Lottery come amid steady streams of criticism over the pending deal.

Gene Stilp, a government reform activist and former congressional candidate, used props Thursday to show his distrust of the privatization talks: huge, fake Lottery tickets.

Stilp, a recent congressional candidate, is urging the Corbett administration not to close a deal by Dec. 31, the current deadline of the Camelot Global Services bid.

“We’re saying that at this point there is not enough transparency in the process, first of all,” he said. “All the facts are not out and so therefore we’re saying slow down. Slow down.”

Other voices of dissent are joining the mix — such as the Republican chairman of the state Senate Finance Committee.

Lancaster County Sen. Mike Brubaker says there should be public hearings on a Lottery privatization deal before it’s finalized.