The disclosure that lawyers and lobbyists hired by the 22 applicants for slots licenses in Pennsylvania gave at least $763,000 in political contributions to lawmakers and Gov. Ed Rendell this year has to be troubling to many state residents.

The numerous "bumps" on the path to making slot machine gambling a reality have raised numerous concerns among state residents about the potential for behind-the-scenes money making by lawmakers and other state officials. That concern was heightened by the issue of exclusive slots "distributorships," rather than allowing slots parlors to purchase machines directly from manufacturers.

The latest disclosure regarding political contributions — anticipated by many people who pay attention to what's happening with their state government, but troubling nonetheless — provides justification for the voters' primary election anti-incumbency mood to kick into high gear for the Nov. 7 general election.

Due to the nature of the gambling decisions required, lawmakers and the governor should have steered clear of all financial ties to that multibillion-dollar enterprise.

The lawmakers and governor, by virtue of their positions, are required to decide important issues within the scope of the total slots operation. There should not be any way in which they might be perceived as having been influenced in their decision making by those vying for slots parlor licenses.

The political contributions in question are a basis for more than a small amount of suspicion.

The $763,000 in contributions came over less than six months — between Jan. 1 and June 5 — with the lawmaker receiving the most money ($62,500) being Senate President Pro Tempore Robert C. Jubelirer of Blair County, who was defeated for re-election in the May 16 primary. Meanwhile, Rendell accepted $60,000.

Some right-thinking lawmakers say restrictions are needed to close off the money pipeline and make a gesture on behalf of the public's trust.

"Our concern is the public perception of the campaign contributions," said Sen. Jay Costa, D-Allegheny. "It's the public perception of the connection of the gaming entity to the lobbyist and the lobbyist to the politicians, and we're trying to sever that connection."

Rendell and the lawmakers could have just said "No" to the contributions in question, but that would have been too easy.

No wonder the public trust in state government continues to erode in the Keystone State.