HARRISBURG -- Gov. Ed Rendell has put forward a package of four measures to reform the state's casino law, but it doesn't go far enough for some legislative leaders.

The Legislature is unlikely to return early from its summer break to revamp the gaming law unless the aim is to remove a controversial and unusual requirement that casinos purchase slot machines from middlemen, said Dave Atkinson, spokesman for Senate President Pro Tem Robert Jubelirer, R-Altoona.

In a letter earlier in the week, Mr. Jubelirer and Majority Leader David Brightbill of Lebanon told Mr. Rendell that if he gives them proposed legislation by Sept. 4, they would hold a public hearing on it before the Senate returns from summer recess Sept. 19.

The governor is eager to create the 14 proposed casinos, saying they will generate up to $1 billion in new revenue for the state, which can be used to lower property taxes.

Critics of the existing slots law want changes enacted before Sept. 27, when the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board is expected to issue the first slots licenses to six racetrack/casinos.

Republican senators, in particular, say time is of the essence. If the Legislature doesn't begin considering slots amendments until Sept. 19, it will be difficult to enact changes in time, they say.

Steve Miskin, spokesman for House Majority Leader Sam Smith, R-Punxsutawney, said the Legislature should not rush to meet the gaming board's timeline.

"Our hope is to come back in the fall and address gambling and to make Mr. Rendell's gaming law respectable and responsible," he said. "The gaming board is going to do what it's going to do and the Legislature is going to do what it needs to do."

If the governor wanted change, he should have provided direction sooner, Mr. Miskin said.

Lawmakers in recent months have debated several dozen gaming issues but have not reached a consensus on an overall package of revisions.

Sen. Jane Orie, R-McCandless, for example, wants to eliminate the middleman requirement.

Others want to give Attorney General Tom Corbett more authority over background investigations of slots manufacturers, suppliers and casino operators.

Still others want to require casinos to mail monthly statements to frequent gamblers, detailing their losses or winnings.

Mr. Rendell wants to begin with four issues that have widespread support in both chambers: precluding public officials and immediate families from owning any interest in gaming enterprises, strengthening state racketeering laws, providing the state exclusive power to regulate and control gaming operations and banning political contributions from immediate family members of anyone holding a financial interest in state-regulated gaming.

"Rather than attempting to determine which of the dozens of [other proposed changes] could pass legislative muster and secure my support, I suggest that we move expeditiously to enact the four changes I have proposed," Mr. Rendell wrote to legislative leaders Thursday.

The leaders had not yet responded to the letter, Mr. Rendell's spokeswoman Kate Philips said late yesterday afternoon.

In an interview, Mr. Atkinson told the Post-Gazette that Mr. Jubelirer is reluctant to call back the Senate early except to enact substantial reform, such as the removal of the middleman requirement.

Anything short of that would not be a productive use of time, he said.

Mr. Rendell said the supplier requirement provides protection from slots distribution problems but that he would consider eliminating it if Democrats and Republicans from both the House and Senate agree.

Interest in eliminating the requirement was renewed recently when it came to light that one supplier license went to Liberty Gaming of suburban Philadelphia, whose investors included a trust for two minor children of Stephen Wojdak, a prominent lobbyist. Mr. Wojdak has since withdrawn the trust from involvement in the supplier firm.