Dumb and Dumber

In the flurry of Beacon Hill activity, it was difficult to keep track of truly dumb statements flowing from the Senate Chambers, read all of the proposed legislation composed behind closed door with Industry input, the flawed Spectrum Gaming Report, the flawed Innovation report, watch the lobbyists strut around the marble halls of the State House and attend the hearings.

Taxpayers funded BENEFITS reports with their hard-earned dollars prepared by the Gambling Industry and never received any factual information.

This gem below was brought to my attention and deserves comment because of flaws.


Senate President Therese "Cha Ching" Murray, HEAD CASINO CHEERLEADER and EXPERT, gestured pulling a lever to play a SLOT MACHINE. [Levers were eliminated to increase 'plays.']

Murray warns of state loss on casinos
Senators debate bill for sixth day
By Noah Bierman
Globe Staff / June 30, 2010

Senate President Therese Murray said yesterday that a new directive from the federal government makes Native American gambling parlors all but inevitable in Massachusetts, whether or not state lawmakers authorize full-fledged casinos.

What "directive"? Beacon Hill received a carefully worded letter indicating the BIA (an arm of the Interior Dept. that mystifies most, staffed with Native Americans, always considered pretty corrupt and ineffective, except for the likes of Jack Abramoff) that says NOTHING - ABSOLUTELY NOTHING - IF CAREFULLY READ. [Reading comprehension is an important part of education.]

The Boston Globe sacrificed reality for political payoffs and ad promises. Papers are financially stressed these days, but how about the truth?



As senators continue to debate legislation to license three casinos, Murray and other proponents of expanded gambling are making the case that passing the bill will give the state more control and more money.

DONKEY DUST!

NO SLOTS = NO TRIBAL CASINOS EVER


Murray said a memo circulated Monday by the US Department of the Interior, which oversees tribal affairs, sets the stage for the Mashpee Wampanoag to open casinos in the next few years with electronic bingo machines, which are similar to slot machines in appearance and known in the industry as Class II slots. The department said it would continue reviewing tribes’ applications for casinos on land not in reservations, an issue that has been in dispute.

WHERE?

The Mashpee Wampanoags own no land in Middleboro, have no historical ties.

Wealthy gambling investors bought the Meetinghouse Swamp.

In Fall River, the Tribe has no historical ties and don't own land?

Oh! In Mashpee where the Tribe has an Agreement with the Town agreeing not to pursue their land claims and not to open a gaming operation in exchange to the Town agreeing not to oppose LIT? The Agreement would only be binding if approved by Congress which it has not.

2 SCOTUS decisions - Carcieri v Salazar and the Hawaii decision PREVENT the BIA or any federal agency from taking land away from SOVEREIGN STATES.

“If we don’t act, they could set up Class II gaming on their own land,’’ Murray said. “And we would get nothing.’’

In order for a TRIBE, any TRIBE to establish ANY Gaming, they need LAND IN TRUST, something the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe lacks. Not to trouble those on Beacon Hill with legal complexities that tax their thinking, but your everyday, average citizen can comprehend this.

THERE IS NO LAND INTO TRUST PROCESS BECAUSE OF TWO SCOTUS DECISIONS.

Of the Mashpee Wampanog Tribe had LIT that pre-dated those 2 SCOTUS decisions, they would require: 1. a compact with the Commonwealth; 2. a 'management agreement' approved by NIGC (National Indian Gaming Commission) or they would risk this.

The tribe’s chairman, Cedric Cromwell, has said that he would prefer to work with the state. Winning a state license could assure the tribe of a smoother and perhaps faster regulatory process and the guarantee of full-fledged slot machines, which are more lucrative than electronic bingo. The Senate bill would give the tribe a potential leg up in the competition for one of three licenses.



Yesterday was the sixth day of debate in the Senate, and senators of many ideological stripes continued to use parliamentary tactics to push back a vote, citing concerns ranging from taxes to the health and addiction problems wrought by smoking, drinking, and gambling. The House passed its version of expanded gambling legislation [written by Industry behind closed doors] in April.

Senators who oppose slots said the state should slow down to assess the effect of the Interior Department’s announcement. Senator James B. Eldridge, an Acton Democrat, said he does not believe that electronic bingo parlors would be successful enough to persuade investors to build a casino.

You got it! A voice of common sense and reason.

Eldridge halted the Senate’s debate yesterday at 5 p.m. using a procedural move, because he and other more liberal senators are also concerned that more powerful legislators are trying to circumvent a ban on smoking in casinos that was passed last week. Senator Susan C. Fargo, a Lincoln Democrat, said gambling proponents have been too willing to retreat on protections against problem drinking and smoking that have been years in the making, in order to protect casino interests.


Casino opponents proposed amendments to make a BAD BILL less BAD and were ignored. Check out DUIs.

Republican senators have also been using delay tactics in an attempt to force votes on tax-cutting measures.

But Democrats, who hold a 35-5 majority, have prevented those votes by rewording Republican amendments. For example, an amendment that would have used the estimated $300 million in yearly revenue from casino gambling on property tax relief was reworded by Fargo to devote about $3 million a year to tax relief for needy senior citizens, and it passed.

“Peanuts, peanuts,’’ said minority leader Richard R. Tisei, a Republican from Wakefield who is running for lieutenant governor. Murray told reporters that Republicans were playing election-year politics. [And Murray isn't?]


Republicans have a platform to oppose BIG GOVERNMENT. NO WHERE are they asking the cost of the BLOATED REGULATORY BUREAUCRACY. Republicans are supporting their wealthy buddies who own race tracks or want SLOT BARNS.