You
are reporting that the court is hearing arguments as to whether or not the
casino law should be put "back" on the ballot this November. That implies that
residents previously had the opportunity to vote on the law. That is incorrect
and it is misleading. The only votes were those which took place in communities
where casinos had been proposed, asking residents if they were willing to allow
a casino in their own community.
There has not been a vote on whether or not Massachusetts residents wanted
to see casinos legalized in the Commonwealth. For the sake of fairness
and accuracy, I am requesting that you make an on-air correction of this
error.
Thank you,
John Epstein
John Epstein
Should casino law become a ballot question?
MA Supreme Court justices have until July to decide on casino ballot question
Juli McDonald
Monday, May 5, 2014
As casino developers continue pursuing the gaming licenses up for grabs in Massachusetts, other groups are working to get the 2011 casino law repealed altogether. Critics of the law went before the state’s Supreme Judicial Court Monday, asking for it to be made a ballot question again in November.
“I think it is too late, because we have made a decision. The voters in Springfield have okayed the decision. It’s a good economic development strategy with a great ripple effect,” said Dianne Doherty of the Massachusetts Small Business Development Center.
Attorney General Martha Coakley said the proposed ballot question violates state law, because it would take private land from casino developers without compensating them.
But the group Repeal the Casino Deal is challenging that, arguing the state and voters have the right to revisit laws the impact public morals and welfare.
If voters didn’t have strong feelings about a casino in their community or state before, they likely have their minds made up now. It’s become even more of a hot topic as people in Massachusetts learn more about the pros and cons of the potential projects.
“People are looking more into it. Getting more informed. Everywhere I go, people are talking about it,” said Iris Castro from Springfield.
The justices are expected to make a decision in early July determining whether we’ll see the casino law question again.
http://wwlp.com/2014/05/05/should-casino-law-become-a-ballot-question-again/
It's truly disappointing that after all the hard work conducted by grassroots folks who have other commitments and sacrifice their time to collect signature, share information and educate others that the best that WWLP can do is a superficial regurgitation of CASINO PROPAGANDA.
Massachusetts voters are entitled to the opportunity to vote!
Atlantic City is the Poster Child for the FAILURES of Predatory Gambling with increased crime, increased poverty, increased unemployment, destruction of small businesses, lack of economic development, increased homelessness.
If Predatory Gambling were such a great deal, why aren't the streets of Atlantic City paved with GOLD instead of SLUMS?
What makes anyone believe WE, Massachusetts residents, are any different?
We're NOT!
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment