HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM) -
A group of House lawmakers has asked the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture to consider new sponsors for the annual outdoor show at the Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg.
The House of Representatives Second Amendment Caucus, a coalition of 75 House members, said the decision by Reed Exhibitions to call off the Eastern Sports and Outdoor Show this year resulted in a huge loss of revenue for many Pennsylvania businesses.
Caucus co-chairman Rep. John Payne (R-Dauphin) said the group is encouraging Agriculture Secretary George Greig to work with Dauphin County Commissioners to find new sponsors for the show next year.
"We want to avoid a repeat of this next year, which is why we support the
decision and ask that Reed Exhibitions be disqualified as a vendor for
future events," Payne said.
The county commissioners announced this week that they booked
the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex using a tourism grant and are
working with various businesses to secure sponsors for next year's show.
Reed Exhibitions postponed the show following controversy over its decision to ban the sale and display of military-style semi-automatic rifles. The show was scheduled to take place February 2-10.
Caucus co-chairman Rep. Dom Costa (D-Allegheny) said the revenue loss from the cancellation has been estimated
at $80 million.
"In these challenging economic times, the
last thing we need to do is take away a consistent revenue stream that
our businesses rely on each year," Costa said. "I am hopeful that by locating
Pennsylvania or U.S. event sponsors, we can make sure that there are no
threats to the future success of this popular show."
