Casino clash shaping up ahead of election
Gerry Tuoti
Wicked Local Newsbank Editor
Posted Oct. 2, 2014
While casino opponents may not have a chance to square off against casino CEOs and the lawmakers who crafted the state’s expanded gambling law, key players on both sides of the issue are scheduled to face off in a forum later this month.
The Ford Hall Forum at Suffolk University has announced an Oct. 23 panel discussion on Question 3, the ballot initiative seeking a repeal of the state’s 2011 casino gambling law. The event, according to the Ford Hall Forum, will feature Repeal the Casino Deal chairman John Ribeiro and former state Attorney General Scott Harshbarger on the anti-casino side; and Everett Mayor Carlo DiMaria and Coalition to Protect Mass. Jobs labor outreach director Charlie Stefanini.
Repeal the Casino Deal had previously launched an unsuccessful attempt to line up debates with several casino supporters, including Senate Majority Leader Stanley Rosenberg, House Speaker Robert DeLeo and the CEOs of MGM Resorts International, Penn National Gaming and Wynn Resorts.
The forum was announced after state Senate Majority Leader Stanley Rosenberg, D-Amherst, notified Repeal the Casino Deal that he was declining an invitation to a separate debate. Rosenberg played a major part in drafting the casino law that legislators passed in 2011. Repeal the Casino Deal said it had not received responses from the other parties.
“I have respectfully declined Yes on 3’s invitation,” Rosenberg said in a statement. “When legislators, and the governor, approved expanded gaming we did so only after painstaking research and extensive public debate. We’ve had our say on the issue. Voters, with Question 3, will now have the opportunity to have their say by either ratifying or repealing the law.” *****
Ribeiro criticized the response.
“If you’re not willing to stand before the people and promote your legislation, how strongly do you really feel about it?” Ribeiro said. “Our legislators have never held a public debate before the voters. Perhaps it’s difficult to defend this legislation when the decision was made without an independent cost-benefit analysis on casinos. I’m still willing to debate, if he has a change of heart.”
The state Gaming Commission has awarded resort casino licenses to Wynn Resorts, which plans to build in Everett, and MGM, which is proposing a Springfield casino. Penn National won the slots license and has begun construction in Plainville.
Massachusetts voters will decide Nov. 4 whether to repeal the law that authorizes up to three commercial casinos and one slots parlor statewide.
Casino opponents argue that expanded gambling has net negative impacts on the community, could lead to crime and harm small businesses.
Proponents of casino gambling say the industry will lead to economic development, increased state revenues and new jobs.
THIS IS ATLANTIC CITY'S ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & HOMELESSNESS:
Penn National announced Wednesday that it is halfway through construction in Plainville.
“Eight months ago we started the development of this $225 million dollar facility, and in eight months we will open Plainridge Park Casino,” Penn National spokesman Jeff Morris said in a statement. “We are extremely proud of the work product to date, the jobs and revenue we have created for union construction workers and small businesses in Massachusetts, and the career opportunities for residents of the area that are coming in the very near future.”
http://www.tauntongazette.com/article/20141002/NEWS/141008524/11157/NEWS#NEWS/?Start=1&_suid=141238008467207226626106699296
****On a personal note, the PAINSTAKING RESEARCH Senator Rosenberg's seem to be referring to is his PERSONAL RESEARCH, discussed in PRIVATE, BEHIND CLOSED DOORS!
There was no PUBLIC DEBATE! Where is the RESEARCH? Who has it?
Senator Rosenberg repeatedly refused to discuss/address/present information publicly.
When has any other PUBLIC POLICY been so secret?
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