Former Massachusetts Attorney General Scott Harshbarger calls for defeating casinos in Springfield
Published: Friday, October 12, 2012
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Former two-term Attorney General L. Scott Harshbarger was pleased when Springfield voters defeated casinos more than 15 years ago. He says he will do whatever he can to help people again reject casinos in the city.
Scott HarshbargerHarshbarger, long a voice against casino gambling, said he is supporting an effort by one of his former aides, Springfield lawyer Michael T. Kogut, who was an assistant attorney general under Harshbarger from 1991 to 1999.
Kogut, former candidate for district attorney in Hampden County, is a leader of Citizens Against Casino Gaming, a political action committee he created to oppose proposals for a casino in Springfield. Harshbarger said he would be pleased to speak against casinos in Springfield if asked by Kogut.
"I hope this is an opportunity for citizens to get heard and heard effectively," the former Democratic attorney general said. "This is an issue that is about good government, citizen activism and democracy."
Harshbarger said he is pleased that "a strong, responsible local leader" such as Kogut is taking on the "thankless task" of opposing casinos. Harshbarger said it's important that Springfield people lead the anti-casino effort. He said that Kogut and others are "true citizen activists" who made their own decisions to campaign against casinos.
"I will be whatever assistance I can be," Harshbarger, a lawyer in Boston, said in a phone interview on Friday.
Michael Kogut
Harshbarger founded Citizens for a Stronger Massachusetts, a nonprofit group that educates people on public policy.
Harshbarger said casinos hurt small businesses, the general economy and create problem gamblers.
Harshbarger said it is vital for people to understand that they do not have to accept casinos as inevitable.
After twice defeating casinos at the polls in the 1994 and 1995, Springfieldvoters are poised to again decide casinos, maybe as soon as June.
In the 1994 vote, 17,846 people voted down a casino referendum in Springfield and 16,871 were in favor, according to an article in the archives of The Republican.
The next year was also close with casino gambling losing by a vote of 17,852 against and 16,169 in favor.
Under the state's casino law, people in a community where a casino wants to locate must approve a referendum to clear a company to apply for a state license.
The state's three most populated cities, including Springfield , would have to hold a ward vote on a casino unless the governing body of a city opts to put the question to all voters. Leaders in Springfield are expecting a city-wide vote.
Three casino companies filed applications on Thursday to the city of Springfield ahead of Thursday's deadline, including Penn National Gaming Inc., MGM Resorts International and Ameristar Casinos Inc.
Harshbarger said casinos hurt small businesses, the general economy and create problem gamblers.
Harshbarger said it is vital for people to understand that they do not have to accept casinos as inevitable.
After twice defeating casinos at the polls in the 1994 and 1995, Springfieldvoters are poised to again decide casinos, maybe as soon as June.
In the 1994 vote, 17,846 people voted down a casino referendum in Springfield and 16,871 were in favor, according to an article in the archives of The Republican.
The next year was also close with casino gambling losing by a vote of 17,852 against and 16,169 in favor.
Under the state's casino law, people in a community where a casino wants to locate must approve a referendum to clear a company to apply for a state license.
The state's three most populated cities, including Springfield , would have to hold a ward vote on a casino unless the governing body of a city opts to put the question to all voters. Leaders in Springfield are expecting a city-wide vote.
Three casino companies filed applications on Thursday to the city of Springfield ahead of Thursday's deadline, including Penn National Gaming Inc., MGM Resorts International and Ameristar Casinos Inc.
Springfield unveiled a selection process in August to decide among casino proposals.
Kevin E. Kennedy, the chief development officer for the city of Springfield, said officials will conduct a preliminary review by Oct. 31 to determine if the three applicants are qualified to move on to a more thorough review. While city officials have not ruled out presenting more than one proposal to voters, "we'd like one to rise to the top," and appear on the ballot, Kennedy told the Associated Press.
Kevin E. Kennedy, the chief development officer for the city of Springfield, said officials will conduct a preliminary review by Oct. 31 to determine if the three applicants are qualified to move on to a more thorough review. While city officials have not ruled out presenting more than one proposal to voters, "we'd like one to rise to the top," and appear on the ballot, Kennedy told the Associated Press.
The Massachusetts Gaming Commission would award the lone casino license for Western Massachusetts, one of three licenses allowed in different geographic zones under the state's casino law.
The company or companies that wins the Springfield contest might have to compete with Mohegan Sun, which is seeking a resort casino off Exit 8 of the Massachusetts Turnpike in Palmer. That casino proposal would need the approval of Palmer voters to compete for the region's license.
Kogut, a Springfield resident for 28 years, said he will be co-chair of the political action committee along with Archbishop Timothy Paul Baymon, president of the Council of Churches of Greater Springfield.
Kogut has created the committee to raise money in an effort to defeat a casino referendum.
Kogut said "absolutely not," when asked if his committee would accept money from existing casinos that might contribute with the aim of eliminating possible competition in Springfield. Kogut said he just opened the account and is starting to solicit residents and small businesses.
"There are many small businesses that fear this," Kogut said. "When a large casino moves into town, businesses close."
Kogut said he plans to invite Harshbarger to speak against casinos in Springfield. He said Harshbarger understands the issues around urban casinos.
"Urban casinos don't work," said Kogut, who said he was the only candidate for district attorney in 2010 who flatly opposed casinos. "They take community resources and finances of individuals. They don't offer anything. It is a net loss for an urban center."
Kogut said "absolutely not," when asked if his committee would accept money from existing casinos that might contribute with the aim of eliminating possible competition in Springfield. Kogut said he just opened the account and is starting to solicit residents and small businesses.
"There are many small businesses that fear this," Kogut said. "When a large casino moves into town, businesses close."
Kogut said he plans to invite Harshbarger to speak against casinos in Springfield. He said Harshbarger understands the issues around urban casinos.
"Urban casinos don't work," said Kogut, who said he was the only candidate for district attorney in 2010 who flatly opposed casinos. "They take community resources and finances of individuals. They don't offer anything. It is a net loss for an urban center."
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