The pros and cons of repealing the casino bill

The pros and cons of repealing the casino bill

By Bob Katzen
bob@beaconhillrollcall.com Posted Oct. 11, 2014 @ 12:00 pm

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 in August 2015.


Here 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[1], Speaker DeLeo[2] and Senate President Murray[3] 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.[4]


Ledyard, Connecticut’s mayor said there has been “no economic development spin-off from (Foxwoods). Businesses do not come here.”[5]


Moody’s downgraded its casino outlook from “stable” to “negative”[6]and Fitch Ratings said the casino market “is reaching a saturation point.”[7]


Indiana prosecutors needed an additional court just to handle casino-related crimes.[8]


Listen to the experts. Vote Yes: Stop the casino mess.”


1.http://www.masslive.com/politics/index.ssf/2013/11/gov_deval_patrick_says_he_woul.htm l


2.http://www.masslive.com/politics/index.ssf/2013/11/like_deval_patrick_massachuset.html


3. http://www.lowellsun.com/breakingnews/ci_24644606/like-patrick-and-deleo-murray-would-not-want


4. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZbRYUEtpGVQ


5. http://www.seacoastonline.com/articles/20031002-NEWS-310029963?cid=sitesearch


6.http://www.streetinsider.com/Credit+Ratings/Moodys+Lowers+Outlook+on+U.S.+Gaming+Industry+to+Negative+(LVS)+(MGM)+(IGT)+(BYI)/9624468.html

LOCAL LEGISLATORS' VOTES FROM 2011 ON CASINOS


In Nov. 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.)


Rep. Ruth Balser - No
Rep. Shawn Dooley - Was not yet elected
Rep. Denise Garlick – No
Rep. Louis Kafka - Yes
Rep. Kay Khan – Yes
Rep. John Lawn – Yes
Rep. David Linsky – Yes
Rep. Paul McMurtry – Yes
Rep. Alice Peisch - Yes
Rep. John Rogers – No
Rep. Thomas Stanley - Yes
Sen. Michael Barrett - Was not yet elected
Sen. Cynthia Creem – No
Sen. Brian Joyce - Yes
Sen. Richard Ross – Yes
Sen. Michael Rush - Didn't Vote
Sen. James Timilty - Yes



http://raynham.wickedlocal.com/article/20141011/NEWS/141019156#141019156/?Start=1&_suid=14131226611740652211098635223