Upstate pol has eyes for Foxwoods license

A state senator from western Pennsylvania is eyeing the license granted to Foxwoods Casino investors for a gambling hall on Columbus Boulevard in South Philadelphia.

The Senate Community and Economic Development Committee yesterday approved a bill proposed by state Sen. John N. Wozniak, who wants to move Foxwoods' license to Johnstown, in his district.

The committee voted to make the license available anywhere else in the state, outside Philadelphia, if the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board decides to pull the long-delayed Foxwoods' license.

Last month, the board ordered Foxwoods' partners to file arguments explaining why they shouldn't lose their license by Tuesday.

Attorney Fred Jacoby, representing the local investor group, yesterday said the group's arguments would be ready on time.

Jacoby added it would be "premature" to talk further about Foxwoods' plans, but said he didn't believe efforts to move the casino out of Philadelphia would succeed.

The project took a major hit in April when Las Vegas casino mogul Steve Wynn abruptly pulled out of the project as developer and financial backer.

Wozniak said he introduced the bill to speed up the property-tax cuts that are derived from gaming revenue. City residents get a wage-tax cut.