Lawmakers return to Harrisburg Tuesday, presumably to come to an agreement on long-awaited table games legislation. The gaming expansion was part of the original budget deal in mid-October, but disagreements over a variety of issues in the House Democratic Caucus and, later, between the House and Senate have prevented approval. The bill is expected to raise $250 million, an amount of money more important than ever now that tax revenue is projected to be $450 million less than anticipated.

Will the lawmakers reach a deal this week? We’ve learned that swift action in Harrisburg is never something you should expect, even amid renewed optimism the House and Senate could be close to a deal.

Lawmakers could also learn the fate of another major public policy initiative this week: tolling Interstate 80. Rep. Joe Markosek, chairman of the House Transportation Committee, told the Tribune-Review last week he expect the Federal Highway Administration to make its decision on the state’s tolling application soon. A rejection would leave lawmakers scrambling to find a way to pay for improvements to Pennsylvania’s aging set of roads and bridges.

“We expect soon after the first of the year to have a decision, one way or another,” the Democratic lawmaker told the paper.

Will state Senator Dave Argall finally make a decision? The Republican said in mid-December to “talk to him in a few weeks” about whether he would challenge Democratic U.S. Rep. Tim Holden. An Argall vs. Holden matchup could make the 17^th Congressional District one of the most closely watched in the country because it would test of the political viability of a Democratic “Blue Dog.”

Finally, the state Capitol cafeteria reopens Monday. Is anyone going to eat there?

Tags: Dave Argall, I-80, table games, Tim Holden

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