In Massachusetts, the Rats Don't Even Have Sense....

...to recognize their sinking ship!

Declining revenues! Gambling Market Saturation! Casino Bailouts! Casino Bankruptcies!
Overstated projections!

GET THE FACTS! JOIN WITH YOUR FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS TO PROTECT YOUR COMMUNITY!

Question 3: Should the voters repeal casinos?

The Lowell Sun

By Bob Katzen  THE HOUSE AND SENATE. There were no roll calls in the House or Senate last week. This week, Beacon Hill Roll Call looks at Question 3, one of the four questions on the ballot that will be decided directly by the voters in November.   The question asks voters if they want to repeal a 2011 law legalizing gambling and allowing three casinos and one slot parlor in the Bay State. The state's Gaming Commission has already awarded licenses to Penn National Gaming for a slot parlor at the Plainridge Racecourse in Plainville. It has also chosen MGM Resorts to build the western Massachusetts casino in Springfield and Wynn Resorts for the eastern one in Everett. The commission anticipates the southeastern license will be awarded next August.   Following are the official arguments, gathered by the secretary of state, by each side of the question. FOR REPEAL: Written by Repeal The Casino Deal Committee. For more info, go to www.Question3Facts.org or call 617-701-7823.   "Massachusetts can do better than casinos. Just ask the 'experts': Governor Patrick, Speaker DeLeo and Senate President Murray agree: No casino in their hometowns. The former CEO of American Gaming said he would 'work very, very hard against' a casino in his hometown. Ledyard, Connecticut's mayor said there has been 'no economic development spin-off from (Foxwoods). Businesses do not come here.

' Moody's downgraded its casino outlook from 'stable' to 'negative' and Fitch Ratings said the casino market 'is reaching a saturation point.' Indiana prosecutors needed an additional court just to handle casino-related crimes. Listen to the experts. Vote Yes: Stop the casino mess."
 
AGAINST REPEAL: Written by Domenic Sarno, mayor of Springfield. For more info, go to www.ProtectMassJobs.com or call 617-520-4559. "A 'no' vote will preserve the state's Expanded Gaming Law, generating thousands of construction and permanent jobs and hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue for our cities and towns. Every year Massachusetts residents spend close to $900,000,000 at casinos in Connecticut, Rhode Island and Maine, adding millions to their state budgets. The law already has provided voters in several communities, including Springfield and Plainville, an opportunity to bring much-needed jobs and economic activity to their communities through first-class development projects. At the same time, the law has ensured that no community opposed to a casino within its borders will have one. To help further protect residents, the law contains industry-leading consumer safeguards and dedicated public-health funding. Vote 'no' on Question 3 to create jobs, economic growth and much-needed new revenue in Massachusetts."     LOCAL LEGISLATORS' VOTES FROM 2011 ON CASINOS: In November 2011, the House 121-33 and the Senate 24-13, approved the casino bill, and Gov. Deval Patrick signed it into law.   Two legislators, Reps. Brain Ashe (D-Longmeadow) and John Rogers (D-Norwood) both voted against the bill on this roll call but switched their votes on a later roll call and voted for it. (A "Yes" vote is for the casinos. A "No" vote is against them.)   Yes: Reps. James Arciero, D-Westford; Cory Atkins, D-Concord; Jennifer Benson, D-Lunenburg; Garry, D-Dracut; Thomas Golden, D-Lowell; Sheila Harrington, R-Groton; Marc Lombardo, R-Billerica; James Miceli, D-Wilmington; David Nangle, D-Lowell. Sens. Eileen Donoghue, D-Lowell; Jennifer Flanagan, D-Leominster; Bruce Tarr, R-Gloucester.   No: Rep. James Lyons, R-Republican. Sens. Kenneth Donnelly, D-Arlington; James Eldridge, D-Acton; Barry Finegold, D-Andover.
Other: Rep. Kenneth Gordon, D-Bedford, was not yet elected; Rep. Kevin Murphy, has resigned. Sen. Michael Barrett, was not yet elected.


Read more: http://www.lowellsun.com/news/ci_26671628/question-3-should-voters-repeal-casinos#ixzz3FPZ8jJ5y