A House panel on Friday approved a bill that would legalize and tax video gambling machines in bars and use the revenue to help fund 28 state-owned universities and community colleges.
The state House Gaming Oversight Committee's 14-12 vote occurred a day after it stalled on a tied vote. Rep. Curtis Thomas, D-Philadelphia, changed his vote but said he remains unhappy that the bill does not help "state-related" schools such as Temple University.
The proposal by Democratic Gov. Ed Rendell is designed to generate more than $500 million in grants for tuition costs. The bill was opposed by the 11 Republicans on the panel and one Democrat.
