Gov. Ed Rendell said today he is “guardedly optimistic” that before the end of the week the Legislature will approve a revised bill allowing table games at casinos, which would void his threat to lay off 1,000 or so state employees on Friday to balance the 2009-10 budget. The state House and Senate are expected to form a six-member conference committee today to adopt a new version of Senate Bill 711, the table games bill. The Senate then is expected to vote on it tonight and the House tomorrow. Mr. Rendell said he hopes the bill will be on his desk by Thursday, but said only time will tell.

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