SUGARHOUSE RIPARIAN RIGHTS CASE BEFORE SUPREME COURT

PHILADELPHIA, April 14 — Attorneys representing a bipartisan group of seven state lawmakers will argue before the state Supreme Court tomorrow (April 15) that only the Pennsylvania General Assembly, and not the City of Philadelphia, may award rights to use submerged land along the Delaware River for development.

            Christopher Craig, legal counsel to state Senator Vince Fumo, and Catherine Recker of the Philadelphia‑based law firm Welsh & Recker will appear on behalf of Fumo, state Senator Mike Stack, and House members Michael O'Brien, William Keller, Michael McGeehan, Robert Donatucci, and John Taylor. Together, the lawmakers represent all of the districts in Philadelphia along the Delaware River waterfront. Taylor is a Republican and the others are Democrats.

            They filed an appeal in the Supreme Court in December, challenging the city's authority to grant riparian rights to the Sugarhouse Casino.

            The Supreme Court session will be held in Philadelphia City Hall. It is scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m., with the riparian rights case currently listed as seventh on the docket. The Court has the discretion, however, to call the cases out of order.

            Your coverage is invited.