Harrisburg is suddenly short of leadership — at least when it comes to fixing flaws and closing loopholes associated with the two-year-old slot machine law.

There was no shortage of leadership, at least the behind-closed-doors variety, when the slots bill was passed — or when the controversial pay-hike bill was presented for a vote at 2 a.m. on July 7, 2005.

But now, when obvious loopholes in the slot machine law are begging to be closed, so-called leaders are pointing their fingers at others to step forward.

News earlier this month that a powerful Harrisburg lobbyist was among those with an interest in a slot machine distributorship focused attention on reforming the slot machine law. The loophole exposed by the lobbyist (and former state lawmaker) was the fact that his name was not listed among the owners of the proposed slots distributorship, but his two pre-teenage children were listed (officially as "minor child 1" and "minor child 2") as owners. After media exposure and a public outcry, the lobbyist withdrew the trust set up for his children as an owner of the company.

But the prospect of the children of the well-connected making money in Pennsylvania's coming casino industry was clear evidence of a loophole — intentional or accidental — in the slot machine legislation passed in July 2004.

State Sen.Jane Orie, R-40th, has been making headlines by asking Gov. Ed Rendell to call lawmakers back from their summer recess for a special session devoted to closing loopholes in the slots law.

So far Rendell has refused, saying there is no need for him to call a special session. He tossed the ball into the Republicans' court by saying the leaders of the dominant party in Harrisburg should call members back to deal with the issue. So far, GOPleaders have not done that.

Of course, when asked by reporters, everyone in Harrisburg claims to favor closing loopholes in the slot machine law. But, nobody is doing anything about it.

An aid to Sen. Vincent Fumo, an architect of the slot machine law, says "everybody is committed to making it a better law."

A spokesman for Sen. Robert Jubelirer said the Senate president pro tempore is "fully committed" to changing the law.

Rendell claims to be in favor of reforming the law, but says it's the obligation of Republicans to make the first move.

A spokeman for House Majority Leader Sam Smith said Smith wants to make the law better (presumably by closing loopholes), but that it has been difficult because Rendell has shown no leadership on the issue.

While Pennsylvanians wait for somebody to show leadership, the changes to the slots law being discussed by Orie and others include:

• Removing the "kids ownership" feature from rules governing slot machine distributorships.

• Eliminating the one percent ownership limit for lawmakers in any gambling-related business venture.

• Expanding the prohibition against gambling interests contributing to political campaigns by also prohibiting contributions from lobbyists for gambling interests.

• Authorizing the state attorney general's office to oversee slots operations and independently launch investigations.

• Eliminating the provision requiring Pennsylvania-based slots distributorships as middlemen for casinos buying slot machines.

While a special session is not necessary, it is important for the media and voters to keep pressure on the legislature to act when it returns in September. Flaws in laws associated with expanded gambling are so obvious and potentially self-serving for lawmakers that they demand legislative action reflecting a zero-tolerance approach to lawmakers, their friends and families, political campaigns and other well-connected people from enriching themselves with the state's planned expansion of gambling.

Lawmakers in Harrisburg have to know that voters are watching — and waiting for the November general election.