Public has until Tuesday to weigh in on casino
Coming soon or dead in the water
Southeastern Mass. Casino development
A vote on the matter is expected two days later. The commission is considering whether to proceed with commercial casino developers or maintain exclusivity for the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe, which aims to build a casino in Taunton.
The November 2011 gambling law created a special process for American Indian tribes in the region, and the Mashpee were able to mobilize a plan, which Taunton voters approved in a June 2012 non-binding referendum.
Tribe still faces hurtles
The tribe has subsequently faced hurdles, including when the U.S. Department of the Interior rejected a gaming compact between the state and the tribe that the Legislature had passed and all parties had signed. This week Gov. Deval Patrick said "the sooner the better" about the Legislature taking up the new, revised compact.
The compact was filed March 28 and is before the Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies, which has not yet scheduled a hearing, according to an aide.
Fall River, New Bedford still hopeful
The tribe is also awaiting a decision on a land-in-trust application, a necessary step towards a reservation for its planned casino along Routes 24 and 140. Officials in Fall River and New Bedford who are hopeful about the potential for casinos in their own city or concerned that waiting for the tribe to receive federal approval will delay the development of a casino in the region, have called for the commission to start the licensing process for commercial applicants.
KG Urban Enterprises, a developer seeking to build a casino on the New Bedford waterfront, has filed federal suit in its bid to move forward with plans. A Fall River official said developers have been "kicking the tires" about the prospect of a casino in the city, but said the belief is "that ship has sailed," with ventures in Taunton or New Bedford most likely.
Tribe claims commission has issue of "transparency"
Meanwhile the Mashpee have asked commission members to disclose which lawmakers they have consulted with on the issue, saying it is an issue of "transparency." Crosby denied the request, saying only he spoke to legislators involved in the crafting the expanded gaming law, not from specific regions.
The commission received public comment from lawmakers, mayors and others in a meeting held in Fall River on March 21. The actual vote, on Thursday, will take place far from the region in Palmer, a meeting location that was settled on before it appeared likely that the vote regarding southeastern Massachusetts would take place that day.
Tribe demands information about talks between Gaming Commission and Beacon Hill
http://www.capecodtoday.com/article/2013/04/13/18203-public-has-until-tuesday-weigh-casino
Gaming Commission to vote whether to open region to commercial bidders
As considerations over how to proceed in the southeastern region draw to a close for the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, the agency will continue to receive advice and comments from the public up until Tuesday at 5 p.m.A vote on the matter is expected two days later. The commission is considering whether to proceed with commercial casino developers or maintain exclusivity for the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe, which aims to build a casino in Taunton.
The November 2011 gambling law created a special process for American Indian tribes in the region, and the Mashpee were able to mobilize a plan, which Taunton voters approved in a June 2012 non-binding referendum.
Tribe still faces hurtles
The tribe has subsequently faced hurdles, including when the U.S. Department of the Interior rejected a gaming compact between the state and the tribe that the Legislature had passed and all parties had signed. This week Gov. Deval Patrick said "the sooner the better" about the Legislature taking up the new, revised compact.
The compact was filed March 28 and is before the Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies, which has not yet scheduled a hearing, according to an aide.
Fall River, New Bedford still hopeful
The tribe is also awaiting a decision on a land-in-trust application, a necessary step towards a reservation for its planned casino along Routes 24 and 140. Officials in Fall River and New Bedford who are hopeful about the potential for casinos in their own city or concerned that waiting for the tribe to receive federal approval will delay the development of a casino in the region, have called for the commission to start the licensing process for commercial applicants.
KG Urban Enterprises, a developer seeking to build a casino on the New Bedford waterfront, has filed federal suit in its bid to move forward with plans. A Fall River official said developers have been "kicking the tires" about the prospect of a casino in the city, but said the belief is "that ship has sailed," with ventures in Taunton or New Bedford most likely.
Tribe claims commission has issue of "transparency"
Meanwhile the Mashpee have asked commission members to disclose which lawmakers they have consulted with on the issue, saying it is an issue of "transparency." Crosby denied the request, saying only he spoke to legislators involved in the crafting the expanded gaming law, not from specific regions.
The commission received public comment from lawmakers, mayors and others in a meeting held in Fall River on March 21. The actual vote, on Thursday, will take place far from the region in Palmer, a meeting location that was settled on before it appeared likely that the vote regarding southeastern Massachusetts would take place that day.
Tribe demands information about talks between Gaming Commission and Beacon Hill
http://www.capecodtoday.com/article/2013/04/13/18203-public-has-until-tuesday-weigh-casino
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