The Fall River Herald News failed to print many opposition letters to the editor and the comments contained in this editorial indicate that they never even bothered the read the grossly flawed Predatory Gambling legislation.
Even this editorial indicates that they have failed to read the Taunton IGA and they fail to comprehend that the Aquinnah have no solvent investor, no plan, no $$$ and a Settlement Agreement ratified by Congress under which they surrendered Sovereignty.
Pretty disappointing journalism!
OUR VIEW: Tight casino deadlines lead to a shotgun wedding
Editorial Board
Maybe Massachusetts legislators’ minds had wandered to Vegas when they came up with the shotgun wedding approach for the first round of casino licensing in southeastern Massachusetts. The result — as we’re seeing in Freetown, Lakeville and Taunton — may not exactly create a match made in heaven.
When the Massachusetts Legislature approved the casino gambling legislation signed by Gov. Deval Patrick last November, it authorized Native American tribes to get the first shot at a casino license in southeastern Massachusetts. But they had to act fast to negotiate a casino compact with the governor.
The gaming legislation set up several deadlines and stipulations in the confusing arrangement that has made it almost impossible for the tribes to fully explain their proposals to the public, give municipalities an opportunity to negotiate and ratify a sound Intergovernmental Agreement, and hold a referendum.
The compact negotiation requires the tribes to enter an agreement to purchase land and schedule a vote. After the vote the agreement has to be reached with the governor and the resulting compact must be approved before July 31. If that does not happen, southeastern Massachusetts casino licenses would be opened up to commercial entities under the same arrangement that now exists in the rest of the state.
But even if those hurdles are cleared, it may be a case of hurry-up-and-wait for the federal government to take land that the tribes purchased into trust. The U.S. Supreme Court’s 2009 Carcieri decision could require congressional action for the land to be taken into federal trust. But even that’s not clear. Even without the need for congressional intervention, the federal application process could take years.
The only thing that’s clear is that the legal waters are muddy. When it comes to the two bands of the Wampanoag tribe that have decided to pursue a casino and the communities they have pitched the ideas to, haste has only added to the confusion. Massachusetts’ casino legislation languished for years, then suddenly became a reality, catching more than a few off guard. It’s still uncertain how long it would take to get the necessary approvals, get the shovels in the ground and finally deliver the hundreds of jobs and economic benefits that a casino promises.
Given the many potential community impacts of a casino, thoughtful and deliberate consideration is a must. But, under the casino legislation, for southeastern Massachusetts, the offer is on the table for a limited time only — take it or leave it.
Unfortunately, it’s the hand that southeastern Massachusetts was dealt by the Legislature. “All our input is for naught,” Taunton resident Brian Kennedy said. “Our concerns are heard, but we can’t put our concerns into law. That is insane.” On the other side, Taunton resident Rick Cross said, “I think it’s a terrific deal for the city. We’re missing out if we don’t sign onto this. This is an opportunity that comes around once in a lifetime.”
Now, voters in three local communities are left with tough choices in a series of nonbinding referendum votes: Freetown and Lakeville will vote on the Aquinnah Wampanoag’s proposal this week. Taunton has a little more time to decide, and will weigh the Mashpee Wampanoag’s proposal on June 9.
Read more: http://www.heraldnews.com/newsnow/x639958738/OUR-VIEW-Tight-casino-deadlines-lead-to-a-shotgun-wedding#ixzz1w1s4Ws00
When the Massachusetts Legislature approved the casino gambling legislation signed by Gov. Deval Patrick last November, it authorized Native American tribes to get the first shot at a casino license in southeastern Massachusetts. But they had to act fast to negotiate a casino compact with the governor.
The gaming legislation set up several deadlines and stipulations in the confusing arrangement that has made it almost impossible for the tribes to fully explain their proposals to the public, give municipalities an opportunity to negotiate and ratify a sound Intergovernmental Agreement, and hold a referendum.
The compact negotiation requires the tribes to enter an agreement to purchase land and schedule a vote. After the vote the agreement has to be reached with the governor and the resulting compact must be approved before July 31. If that does not happen, southeastern Massachusetts casino licenses would be opened up to commercial entities under the same arrangement that now exists in the rest of the state.
But even if those hurdles are cleared, it may be a case of hurry-up-and-wait for the federal government to take land that the tribes purchased into trust. The U.S. Supreme Court’s 2009 Carcieri decision could require congressional action for the land to be taken into federal trust. But even that’s not clear. Even without the need for congressional intervention, the federal application process could take years.
The only thing that’s clear is that the legal waters are muddy. When it comes to the two bands of the Wampanoag tribe that have decided to pursue a casino and the communities they have pitched the ideas to, haste has only added to the confusion. Massachusetts’ casino legislation languished for years, then suddenly became a reality, catching more than a few off guard. It’s still uncertain how long it would take to get the necessary approvals, get the shovels in the ground and finally deliver the hundreds of jobs and economic benefits that a casino promises.
Given the many potential community impacts of a casino, thoughtful and deliberate consideration is a must. But, under the casino legislation, for southeastern Massachusetts, the offer is on the table for a limited time only — take it or leave it.
Unfortunately, it’s the hand that southeastern Massachusetts was dealt by the Legislature. “All our input is for naught,” Taunton resident Brian Kennedy said. “Our concerns are heard, but we can’t put our concerns into law. That is insane.” On the other side, Taunton resident Rick Cross said, “I think it’s a terrific deal for the city. We’re missing out if we don’t sign onto this. This is an opportunity that comes around once in a lifetime.”
Now, voters in three local communities are left with tough choices in a series of nonbinding referendum votes: Freetown and Lakeville will vote on the Aquinnah Wampanoag’s proposal this week. Taunton has a little more time to decide, and will weigh the Mashpee Wampanoag’s proposal on June 9.
Read more: http://www.heraldnews.com/newsnow/x639958738/OUR-VIEW-Tight-casino-deadlines-lead-to-a-shotgun-wedding#ixzz1w1s4Ws00
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