Because most of the jobs created by Gambling facilities are Low Wage, workers are forced to seek sub-standard housing.
In Connecticut, the housing was called 'Hut Houses' and a practice called 'Hot Bedding' was common. That practice indicates that shift workers sleep in the same beds in shifts.
Those communities currently targeted by the Gambling Industry need to recognize the problem and adopt practices that provide a safer community.
It is not only Low Wage workers and their families at risk, but Public Safety workers who risk entering engulfed building for rescue.
Taxpayers pick up the costs of additional congested housing.
The article below highlights part of the issue and provides part of the solution.
Creating jobs that provide living wages offers hope.
Penalty may get tougher for illegal apartments in Massachusetts
QUINCY —
Under current Massachusetts law, when inspectors find the kind of cramped living conditions that contributed to the death of two children and their father in a 2009 basement fire, there is little they can do beyond write the landlord a ticket.
Officials say landlords can too easily view the fines as simply the cost of doing business and continue catering to tenants willing to accept dangerous living conditions because they cannot afford market rent.
“If there were actually jail time involved, it would certainly make our job easier,” said Robert Conlon, an assistant building commissioner in Quincy. “You wouldn’t feel like you’re spending forever chasing these down just to impose a $100 fine.”
Incarceration would be added to inspectors’ toolboxes under a bill filed by an alliance of state legislators, the state fire marshal and the Norfolk County District Attorney.
The legislation would subject landlords who keep illegal apartments to up to 21/2 years in jail. Inspectors would be able to seek a criminal complaint in district court against these landlords, and also fine them $15,000.
The filing of the bill comes one year after two Quincy landlords were jailed on manslaughter convictions following the deaths of Oudah Frawi and his young sons, Ali and Hassan, who were trapped during a fire in a basement apartment on Robertson Street that had only one exit and other code violations. Andy Huang was sentenced to three years in prison, and his brother, Jason, was sentenced to two to three years after a trial last January.
“People obviously are making the conscious decision to break the law and add illegal apartments because it’s financially feasible to do so,” Norfolk County District Attorney Michael Morrissey said.
“Obviously, they weigh the risk of the violation and the fine. If those violations rise to the level where it puts someone’s life at stake, and the penalty now is it could affect the (property owner’s) liberty, I think people might think twice.”
The illegal apartment issue is particularly pronounced in Quincy and communities with a lot of dense, multifamily housing.
Chiefly sponsored by Sen. James Timilty of Walpole, the bill is also sponsored by Rep. John Rogers of Norwood; Rep. Bruce Ayers of Quincy; Rep. Louis Kakfa of Stoughton; Rep. Elizabeth Poirier of North Attleboro; Rep. Denise Provost of Somerville; Sen. John Keenan of Quincy; Rep. James Murphy of Weymouth; Rep. James Cantwell of Marshfield and Sen. Michael Knapik of Westfield.
For second offenses, the proposed law subjects landlords to five years in state prison and a $35,000 fine.
“In my mind, it sets very clear and significant penalties for those people who put profit over safety,” state fire marshal Stephen Coan said of the bill.
Using current law and city ordinances, Quincy has checked hundreds of illegal-apartment complaints since the 2009 fire on Robertson Street.
Inspectors can issue fines and order illegal units removed from buildings but can only pursue criminal charges if those fines are not paid or if the illegal unit is not removed in a timely manner.
READ MORE about this issue.
Read more: http://www.patriotledger.com/topstories/x694780821/Penalty-may-get-tougher-for-illegal-apartments-in-Massachusetts#ixzz2OMqXjbcW
Additional information:
Tax Collection Stations
As just one brief example, the report prepared for Governor Rell showed that 38.2% of Foxwoods employees earned less than $20,536 annually. That's over one-third. 86.99% of all Foxwoods employees earned less than $28,930 annually. That's nearly 9 in 10 employees earning what could, at best, be called a subsistence wage.
At Mohegan Sun, the numbers are almost as bad: 38% of all Mohegan Sun employees earned less than $22,189 annually and only 16.26% earned more than $36,700 annually.
From: Massachusetts Mayors Promote Low Wage Jobs
CT: Spectrum Gaming Report #11 Low Wage Jobs
The Spectrum Gaming Report prepared for the CT DOSR is availble on the United to Stop Slots in Massachusetts web site. It's worth reading.
From: CT: Spectrum Gaming Report #2
Substandard housing, illegal conversions –
casino workersWith many casino workers unable to afford housing in southeastern Connecticut, some landlords have converted single-family homes into boarding facilities. The practice is not only illegal, it is unsafe as well.
– page 14 Spectrum Gaming Group (SGG) “Gambling in Connecticut”
2009
From: CT: Spectrum Gaming Report #1
Norwich Public School administrators identified on a yearly basis nearly
$2 million in casino-related costs. In order to handle the influx of immigrant
workers attracted to casino jobs, the district had to create English for
Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) program because students speak nearly 30
different languages. They come from Haiti, Peru, the Dominican Republic and
Eastern Europe. In addition, thousands of Chinese-speaking workers were
recruited from New York City in late 2001 to work at the casinos.
– page 13
Spectrum Gaming Group (SGG) “Gambling in Connecticut” 2009
CT: Increased taxpayer costs
Spectrum Gaming: CT Report
Kraft/Wynn Slot Barn would be detrimental to area housing market
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment