Letters: It’s time to eliminate RCOs; Casino still awaits slot machine license
It’s time to eliminate RCOs
The devastating explosion at U.S. Steel’s Clairton Coke Works — which claimed lives, left others missing, and injured dozens — is a sobering reminder that tragedy can strike in any workplace, regardless of whether it is unionized or non-unionized.
Clairton Coke Works is a fully unionized facility, covered by one of the strongest labor agreements in the nation, yet this heartbreaking disaster still occurred. This proves a critical point: safety, skill and quality do not come from limiting competition — they come from holding all contractors, union and non-union alike, to the same high standards.
Responsible Contractor Ordinances (RCOs) do the opposite. They artificially restrict bidding to a small group of union-affiliated contractors, shutting out qualified local businesses and driving up costs for taxpayers — without any guarantee of improved safety or quality. In fact, by excluding capable non-union firms, RCOs weaken the competitive environment that pushes every contractor to excel.
When the goal is safety and excellence, the focus should be on clear, enforceable performance and safety requirements for everyone — not political favoritism for a select few. The Clairton tragedy should push us toward policies that open the field to all qualified contractors, so communities can hire the best, most cost-effective teams available, regardless of labor affiliation.
It’s time to eliminate RCOs and replace them with truly fair standards that protect workers, respect taxpayers, and ensure the best outcomes for our projects.
Michelle Schellberg, State College. The author is the chairwoman for the Centre County Republican Committee.
Casino still awaits slot machine license
Some opponents of the Happy Valley Casino may have been born at night, but it wasn’t last night. Most folks driving past Nittany Mall will notice the bright blue construction fence around the casino property, which is now planned to open in April 2026.
Looking back to over two years ago in January 2023, the PA Gaming Control Board (PGCB) unanimously approved the issuance of the Category 4 slot machine license. Have the casino developers already requested the issuance of its slot machine license? Surprisingly, they have not. As explained below, that request is planned for six months from now in January 2026, three years since the PGCB authorized them to do so. Oh my!
How are we just now learning this? Because very recently the PGCB chose to post on their website a partially unredacted public version of a previously redacted version an official PGCB filing Docket Number 13371-2025. Here is the precise verbatim explanation that the PGCB has just disclosed:
“By way of further answer, OpCo remains in approved for licensure status. OpCo has not yet been issued its Category 4 slot machine license, as it has not yet paid the $1M bond for issuance of the license pursuant to 4 Pa.C.S. § 1316 or the $1.25M deposit pursuant to 4 Pa.C.S. § 1401 to commence operations. OpCo anticipates requesting the issuance of its slot machine license in or around January 2026.”
Perhaps the grand opening may be delayed beyond April 2026 due to “unforeseen circumstances.” That’ll work!
Dan Materna, Howard
Centre County jail deficiency must be fixed
I am writing in support of a recent op-ed that the Centre County Commissioners need to allow our incarcerated citizens to have access to sunlight. Keep in mind that some of the people in jail are pending trial and will be found innocent. Even those who are guilty of a crime are entitled to have access to sunshine and outdoor space for their health and well being. Just like food, sunshine is a key ingredient of life, health, and promoting of a positive mood.
How can we justify having a jail in Centre County that is worse for its inmates than many third world countries? We have been aware of this issue for 20 years and have still not fixed it.
Joel N. Myers, State College