The new Pennsylvania gambling law allowing up to 61,000 slot machines at 14 planned slot-machine parlors should not allow state lawmakers and other public officials to own up to 1 percent of any of the parlors.

Gambling critics are correct that the 1 percent rule could lead to at least the appearance of a conflict of interest, if not outright corruption. Time will tell if the critics are correct in their contention that the bill is fatally flawed because it only addresses ownership of "securities" of gaming companies, meaning that a lawmaker could directly own all or part of a gaming parlor.

The gambling law also is wrong in stipulating that members of the seven-member Pennsylvania Gaming Board can begin working for a gaming company a year after leaving office. The time interval should be at least five years.

According to the gambling bill's authors, the 1 percent provision was needed so lawmakers could own mutual funds or pension funds that invest in publicly traded gaming companies without having to worry about being in violation of the law.

Sen. Robert Tomlinson, R-Bucks, said his lawyers had assured him that the law would prevent elected officials from having a direct ownership stake that exceeds 1 percent. He said that's because under state law, the term "security" refers not just to stocks and bonds but to most forms of ownership, including partnerships.

Still, the situation would have "smelled" better if lawmakers and other public officials were excluded from even 1 percent ownership. There will always be the perception among some state residents that the new gambling bill was not approved just on its merits, but on what some lawmakers could gain personally with expanded gambling in effect.

It's good that all of the county's district justice offices will soon be entering the "plastic era," meaning that they will be able to accept credit cards for certain fines and related costs. The offices of District Justices Sue Haggerty in Saxonburg and Clifford Woessner in Slippery Rock already have begun accepting credit cards, with the other five district justices scheduled to follow within the next few weeks.The advantage of accepting credit cards is that the payment process is sped up. The money being collected will get more quickly to the state, county and municipalities scheduled to receive portions of the money.Credit cards will only be accepted for full payment, not for installment payments.Credit-card payments also will benefit some crime victims, in terms of getting their restitution more quickly. Additionally, the credit-card option will result in less paperwork for district justice offices.Even the defendant can benefit from using his or her credit card, if such a payment results in reward points, frequent-flier miles or an eligible cashback provision from the credit card company.The credit-card option will not come without a cost to the county. The county will be charged 1.5 percent of the total amount charged, and there will be a per-use fee. Tom Holman, county Family Court director, estimated that the total annual cost for the program would eventually be about $35,000.However, the efficiencies that will be part of the program will be worth the investment.The Butler County Clerk of Courts Office has accepted credit cards for years. The district justice offices should have been allowed to get on the "plastic bandwagon" long before now.

Harmony Borough Council members are correct in seeking ways to improve the Harmony triangle that greets motorists as they enter the community off Route 68.However, they should stick with the effort until the improvements are completed, rather than merely look to revisit the issue again in a few months - the intent expressed at a council meeting Tuesday.Projects have a way of being forgotten if they are delayed.One item worthy of consideration as part of the triangle improvement is a proposal by Historic Harmony to erect an informational booth, such as a small log cabin, on the triangle.But even more important is for the borough to find a way to eliminate the confusion that some motorists encounter as they try to enter the borough. That could be accomplished through effective, pleasing-to-the-eye signage that is consistent with the borough's historic past.The council should listen to residents' comments and suggestions during the planning and consideration process.