When casino investors targeted the cash strapped Town of Middleboro and purchased property that was selected in private meetings by now retired Town Manager Jack Healey and Stephen Graham as they pored over Assessors' Maps, at a poorly advertised auction, town residents attempted to speak out at public meetings.
.
Marsha Brunelle, Chairwoman of the Board of Selectmen gaveled town residents to silence and prevented questions, silenced the process and imposed her own version of tyranny.
.
Another town has taken that inappropriate conduct one step further --
.
Rules ban on comments on gambling's 'social ills' violated First Amendment
.
A federal judge has ruled that town officials holding a public meeting
to talk about a massive casino project proposed for their area cannot ban statements about the "social ills" of gambling if they allow discussion of the industry's benefits.
to talk about a massive casino project proposed for their area cannot ban statements about the "social ills" of gambling if they allow discussion of the industry's benefits.
.
...officials in the city of Mulvane violated the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution ...
.
And in -- Casino decision process called tainted
Lawyers say local officials simply ordered opponents silenced by police
.
"The government has no right to harass and threaten citizens for exercising their First Amendment rights in public. Nevertheless, citizens who wished to express their legitimate concerns about the impact of the new casino have been threatened, silenced, and in one case, even removed from a government hearing on this important issue," said Oster.
.
Proponents of predatory gambling only succeed when they can silence the facts and prevent transparent public discussions. That's why we need an impartial commission to examine the costs and impacts of gambling on the Commonwealth.
.
Something like this --
.
Comprehensive cost-benefit analysis of slot parlors and mega-casinos.
.
The legislature will perform a comprehensive cost-benefit analysis and develop data-driven budgets by region that account for fiscal revenues and both operating and capital investment expenses. Benefits/revenues will result from income and property taxes, license fees, job creation, reduction of welfare rolls, and ancillary economic development for regional businesses. Costs/expenses will result from capital investment projects, infrastructure expansion and maintenance thereof; mitigation compensation to affected regional communities for issues defined in the paragraphs below; and state and regional oversight and administration expenses.
The legislature will perform a comprehensive cost-benefit analysis and develop data-driven budgets by region that account for fiscal revenues and both operating and capital investment expenses. Benefits/revenues will result from income and property taxes, license fees, job creation, reduction of welfare rolls, and ancillary economic development for regional businesses. Costs/expenses will result from capital investment projects, infrastructure expansion and maintenance thereof; mitigation compensation to affected regional communities for issues defined in the paragraphs below; and state and regional oversight and administration expenses.
.
The cost-benefit analysis will address but not be limited to costs such as the expansion of the Attorney General’s office for regulation, enforcement, investigation, prosecution, auditing; Gaming Commission personnel, equipment, operating budget, software and all consultants; gambling addiction services; state and local police and overtime; domestic violence advocates at district courts serving the regions impacted by proposed expanded gambling; expanded prison and corrections services; financial counseling; subsidized health care costs for transient workers and workers not covered by proposed expanded gambling health insurance.
The cost-benefit analysis will address but not be limited to costs such as the expansion of the Attorney General’s office for regulation, enforcement, investigation, prosecution, auditing; Gaming Commission personnel, equipment, operating budget, software and all consultants; gambling addiction services; state and local police and overtime; domestic violence advocates at district courts serving the regions impacted by proposed expanded gambling; expanded prison and corrections services; financial counseling; subsidized health care costs for transient workers and workers not covered by proposed expanded gambling health insurance.
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment