Ballot question to repeal Massachusetts casino law cleared to move ahead by Attorney General Martha Coakley
Casino opponent Rich Sorcinelli celebrates on Tuesday at the Hofbrahaus after voters in West Springfield rejected a ballot question for a planned Hard Rock casino. Anti-casino activists see the vote in West Springfield as a positive sign for a proposed statewide ballot question to repeal the state's casino law. (The Republican photo by Michael Beswick)
By
on September 11, 2013
on September 11, 2013
BOSTON — A statewide anti-casino coalition has filed a court challenge of the attorney general's decision to bar a planned ballot question to repeal the 2011 law to allow casinos in Massachusetts.
Attorney General Martha Coakley will agree to the challenge, called an injunction, effectively allowing the coalition to collect signatures for the proposed ballot question while the challenge is pending before the state's highest court.
In an 11-page decision, Coakley last week rejected the proposed anti-casino ballot question, ruling that it would be an unconstitutional taking of private property rights.
John F. Ribeiro of Winthrop, chairman of the Committee to Repeal the Casino Deal, said that the coalition submitted the injunction to the state Supreme Judicial Court.
Brad Puffer, spokesman for Coakley's office, said the attorney general will agree to the injunction.
That means that the attorney general's summary of the proposed repeal will be forwarded to Secretary of State William Galvin, who then prints up signature forms, so that the proponents can seek signatures while they proceed with their court challenge.
If the proponents of the ballot question fail to get the required number of signatures, however, the case is dismissed as moot.
The state Supreme Judicial Court would rule on the merits of the court challenge if the coalition succeeds in gathering enough signatures.
Ribeiro said about 500 volunteers are poised to collect the 68,911 voter signatures needed by Dec. 4 to help qualify for the ballot.
"People are even more energized to go out and collect signatures," he said. "This is about democracy.
This is beyond the casino question. This is about people having the right to vote on a critical issue that could change the state forever."
Ribeiro said the coalition is emboldened by Tuesday's vote in West Springfield to defeat the planned Hard Rock casino resort and other casino defeats around the state.
In a statement, Coakley's spokesman said, “We make our decisions to certify ballot initiatives based purely on the facts and the law and without regard to the attorney general’s policy views on the issue. As we do with all petition decisions, we work cooperatively with parties who wish to challenge our rulings. The most important thing is to get the right result.”
http://www.masslive.com/politics/index.ssf/2013/09/ballot_question_to_repeal_stat.html
Attorney General Martha Coakley will agree to the challenge, called an injunction, effectively allowing the coalition to collect signatures for the proposed ballot question while the challenge is pending before the state's highest court.
In an 11-page decision, Coakley last week rejected the proposed anti-casino ballot question, ruling that it would be an unconstitutional taking of private property rights.
John F. Ribeiro of Winthrop, chairman of the Committee to Repeal the Casino Deal, said that the coalition submitted the injunction to the state Supreme Judicial Court.
Brad Puffer, spokesman for Coakley's office, said the attorney general will agree to the injunction.
That means that the attorney general's summary of the proposed repeal will be forwarded to Secretary of State William Galvin, who then prints up signature forms, so that the proponents can seek signatures while they proceed with their court challenge.
If the proponents of the ballot question fail to get the required number of signatures, however, the case is dismissed as moot.
The state Supreme Judicial Court would rule on the merits of the court challenge if the coalition succeeds in gathering enough signatures.
Ribeiro said about 500 volunteers are poised to collect the 68,911 voter signatures needed by Dec. 4 to help qualify for the ballot.
"People are even more energized to go out and collect signatures," he said. "This is about democracy.
This is beyond the casino question. This is about people having the right to vote on a critical issue that could change the state forever."
Ribeiro said the coalition is emboldened by Tuesday's vote in West Springfield to defeat the planned Hard Rock casino resort and other casino defeats around the state.
In a statement, Coakley's spokesman said, “We make our decisions to certify ballot initiatives based purely on the facts and the law and without regard to the attorney general’s policy views on the issue. As we do with all petition decisions, we work cooperatively with parties who wish to challenge our rulings. The most important thing is to get the right result.”
http://www.masslive.com/politics/index.ssf/2013/09/ballot_question_to_repeal_stat.html
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