In communities like ours, where working families, veterans, and local organizations rely on one another, decisions made by elected officials carry real consequences. That’s why it’s so deeply frustrating when those decisions are made without truly listening to the people they affect most.
For all of us, skill games have become an important part of sustaining our operations. Veterans’ posts, volunteer fire companies, fraternal groups and small businesses know these games and the revenue they provide, help to fill funding gaps, support programming and keep doors open. They are not abstract policy debates — skill games are making a difference here in Lebanon County.
That’s why it’s concerning to see Senator Chris Gebhard take a stance that is so disconnected from the voices of his constituents. Local people have been clear: we are not asking for special treatment—we are asking for fair fees and reasonable regulation of skill games. In fact, many of us have been advocating for exactly that for quite some time.
Instead, what we’re hearing feels dismissive and, at times, patronizing. The suggestion, for example, that working-class people cannot make informed decisions for themselves is troubling. Even more concerning are statements implying that these establishments are somehow targeting children with these games. That simply does not reflect reality. Skill games are in controlled environments — some places where minors are not even permitted. To suggest otherwise is not only inaccurate, but it also undermines the integrity of the organizations that operate skill games responsibly.
There is considerable concern about Senator Gebhard’s skill game legislation. It calls for a precedent setting tax on the games that will specifically harm small businesses and veterans’ organizations. It would create excessive red tape and is the blueprint for overregulation. He and others can blame lack of enthusiasm for his reelection bid on something else, but the real reason is that after just one full term in office, he has already forgotten his mission of doing what’s best for his constituents over politics.
Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have backed alternative skill game proposals that would establish a flat monthly fee of $500 per terminal. This makes sense. Senator Gebhard’s skill game bill represents the largest tax increase on small businesses and organizations in Pennsylvania history.
It’s worth remembering the values many voters believed they were supporting when they voted for Senator Gebhard four years ago. A commitment to personal responsibility, limited government interference, and trust in local communities were all part of his platform. They are principles that resonate deeply here. Yet, his approach to policy seems to contradict those very ideals. When government steps in not to regulate fairly but to tax without consideration, it raises valid questions about whose voices are truly being heard.
This issue is not about politics — it’s about people. It’s about the VFW that relies on skill game funding to continue to provide a sense of community for veterans. It’s about volunteer fire companies using their skill game revenue to purchase lifesaving equipment that keeps our communities safe. It’s about local organizations trying to keep their programs running. It’s about everyday Americans who work in restaurants and bars.
We are asking to be heard. We want clear rules, fair fees, and a regulatory structure that allows these games to continue benefiting the community while ensuring accountability.
Unfortunately, Senator Gebhard has, so far, stood in the way of that progress.
Listening matters. Leadership means engaging with constituents, not dismissing them. If our elected officials truly want to represent us, they must be willing to hear us out — especially when the stakes are this high and so close to home.
Our message is simple: trust your community. We understand what works for us. It’s time for our voices to be part of the solution.
Dan and Bobbi Jo Geesey, Navy Club, Lebanon
Mike Levendis, William Penn Restaurant, Lebanon
Mary Jo and Paul Bishop, Steggie’s Bar, Lebanon
Mike Bunch, Conner’s Bar, Lebanon
Deb Brown, Gary’s Bar, Palmyra
Kerry Eisenhour, Willow House Bar, Lebanon
Lori Smith, Liberty Square Bar, Lebanon
David Barr, 5th Ward Athletic Club, Lebanon
