Regarding the Trib's editorial charging that Gov. Rendell ignored state law when he authorized reallocating money to the Gaming Control Board in December (" More slots slime: An illegal transfer ," July 19 and PghTrib.com): Act 71, the legislation authorizing gaming, provided a $36.1 million appropriation to fund gaming start-up activities in the Department of Revenue, the Pennsylvania State Police and the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board -- the entity that approves gaming licenses and regulates the gaming industry so property tax relief can occur. Initially the gaming board received $7.5 million, the revenue department received $21.1 million and the state police received $7.5 million. Last December, Gov. Rendell's administration reallocated $7.3 million from the revenue department's share of the gaming appropriation to the gaming board to help fund the board's operations until gaming revenues become available. On July 20, the gaming board unanimously approved the administration's financial plan to reallocate $6.6 million of the revenue department's original gaming allocation and $3.8 million originally allocated to the state police to the gaming board. The revenue department and the state police do not need these funds. Furthermore, these reallocations conform to long-standing commonwealth policy that transfers of funds between agencies are lawful and appropriate without further legislation if the funds are used for the purpose for which they were originally appropriated. The Legislative Reference Bureau has voiced a different opinion on this subject. The bureau's duties, however, do not include issuing legal opinions, so its document has no legal force. In June state lawmakers passed the governor's historic property tax reform measure. After years of debate, real property tax relief is within reach. Continued efforts by the Gaming Control Board will bring gaming revenues to the commonwealth and full property tax relief will be a reality. Michael J. MaschHarrisburg The writer is Pennsylvania's secretary of the budget.

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