Snookered by Governor Patrick!

Cross posted from Blue Mass Group.

In 2009, the Massachusetts Democratic Party passed a Resolution
opposing Predatory Gambling that Governor Patrick has ignored.

Found here:

Massachusetts Democratic Party Resolution Opposing Predatory Gambling

It was distributed to every Democratic member on Beacon Hill.

In 2009, a long overdue meeting was held by the Governor with
a coalition of Casino Opponents.

Governor Patrick agreed to support an INDEPENDENT COST BENEFIT
ANALYSIS after meeting with the group:

Maybe it's time to talk!

Please remember that the Governor spent $189,000 hard earned taxpayer dollars, on the Spectrum Gaming Report that was designed to overstate jobs and revenue projections, not consider the costs and impacts.

The cost of the INDEPENDENT COST BENEFIT ANALYSIS, as proposed by the Coalition would have been nominal!

Governor Patrick downplayed his intent long enough to appease members of the coalition, convince them of his sincerity to gain re-election and promptly returned to his secret meetings and promotion of Destination Resort Slot Barns.

Shortly after is re-election, the Governor met in secret with a group of Tribes, led them to believe he would support 'state land into trust' and a Slot Barn in Freetown. Rumors abound!
Since Beacon Hill has exempted itself from Open Meeting Laws, the back room deals will never be disclosed.

And on that laundry list of 'things to do,' it included convicting former House Speaker Sal DiMasi, a staunch Casino Opponent who squashed the Governor's original plans.

Lest you think revenge wasn't in the Governor's plan, he was still smarting about his defeat when I had an opportunity to discuss Gambling with him after a Community Forum in Franklin.

A good case can be made that Deval Patrick's intent was to cram through flawed Gambling legislation prior to his election, consequences be damned!

This has since been removed:

Diane B. Patrick
Partner
Ropes & Gray
One International Place
Boston, MA 02110-2624

Gaming
Attorneys

Gaming
Gaming trade associations, leading companies and principal investors turn to Ropes & Gray for advice on matters ranging from litigation and regulatory issues, to financing and transactional engagements, to internal investigations and out-of-court workouts and insolvencies. We work with participants in all portions of the industry, including commercial casino companies, tribal operations and technology suppliers. We understand how the industry’s unique regulatory environment influences most legal issues. Recent engagements have included:
Defending several lawsuits brought by allegedly compulsive gamblers, and helping many clients develop meaningful, responsible gaming programs.
Defending against U.S. Treasury enforcement proceedings for failures to file currency transaction reports, and pressing the industry’s concerns before Treasury on "suspicious activity reporting."
Leading the industry effort to shape anti-terrorism restrictions proposed by the Coast Guard for casino riverboats in the wake of the September 11 tragedies.
Advising both underwriters and investors in more than a dozen major debt financings for tribal gaming properties.
Advocating before the U.S. Interior Department concerning tribal gaming compacts and the designation of initial reservations.
Defending a casino developer against a multimillion dollar claim by a local government for failing to win a state license for a proposed casino project.
Defending a gaming company before the Federal Election Commission against charges of improper campaign donations.
Representing major creditors in a Chapter 11 reorganization of a multi-state gaming entity.
Advising numerous clients concerning the application of state anti-lottery laws to proposed promotional programs, including Internet activities.
Seeking certiorari from the United States Supreme Court in a First Amendment challenge to limitations on campaign donations by casino licensees.
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We have all been betrayed by a Governor who took office with an intent to push through Predatory Gambling!

And then he'll move on to higher office with the generous support of wealthy Gambling Investors, leaving behind the detritus he's created.


And then he lied: wampaleaks

Governor Patrick ignores Democratic Faithful

Governor Patrick has betrayed those who supported him in his bid for election and then re-election by his support of Predatory Gambling:

Democratic Resolution:

A majority of delegates stood and approved a resolution to oppose legalization of slot machines and any similar efforts to promote addictive and predatory gambling as a means to raise state revenues.

RESOLUTION:

Whereas the Democratic Party has a long and proud tradition of advocating for social justice, working for policies that promote the public health, and fighting to protect citizens from exploitative and predatory business practices;

And whereas modern slot machines use neuroscience-informed technology to mesmerize and entrap gamblers and to keep them playing until they have exhausted their resources ("playing to extinction");

And whereas medical research has documented the highly addictive nature of the brain's chemical reactions to slot machine stimulation;

And whereas licensing and promoting such addictive, predatory gambling technology for the purpose of raising State revenues goes against the aforementioned values and principles for which the Democratic Party has long stood, and is at odds with the ideals that underlie our Party's honorable and consistent struggle to end the deceptive and predatory lending, marketing, and pricing practices that have pushed so many families to the brink;

And whereas legalizing slot machines would erode participation in the Lottery and siphon away from local small businesses the discretionary spending on goods and services that they depend on;

And whereas the development of slot machine parlors would neither create significant new jobs, nor increase tourism in Massachusetts;

And whereas evidence from other states indicates that the long-term costs of gambling addiction -- increased substance abuse, increased crime, increased family discord and dysfunction -- outweigh the short term benefits of licenses and gambling revenues;

Now, therefore, be it resolved that the Massachusetts Democratic Party, as a matter of both principle and policy, opposes the legalization of slot machines and any similar efforts to promote addictive and predatory gambling as a means of raising public revenues.

Governor Patrick: You weren't listening!

No so called "Progressive" candidate or elected official would support Slot Parlors that destroy neighborhoods and communities, increase crime.

Now, some friends will be going convulsive in defense, but, but, but, he's done this, he's done that. They even recoil when reminded that this is much like the praise heaped on an accused pedophile "Oh, he did so much for the community!" "He was such a good man....!"

The poor choice of candidates forces a voter to accept a candidate WARTS AND ALL!




Except this isn't a mere WART. It's an incurable malignancy that is fatal and the Governor introduced it, promotes it, supports it and endorses it, ignoring the facts because he hired a Gambling Company to produce a report that...what a surprise! Supports the Gambling Industry.

It's a malignancy that CANNOT be limited as Senator Rosenberg, author of this disaster has acknowledged.

It's a malignancy that CANNOT be "DONE RIGHT."

Yes! And he is calling for Slot Parlors in your neighborhood that no way, no how can be 'Done Right' !

Seeking some commonsense, I sent an email to the Governor to again raise pertinent issues that he has ignored.



Recently, there has been a great deal of misinformation
stated publicly, as well as on the Senate floor regarding
the rights of Native Americans to Tribal Gaming.

There are two decision that pertain specifically to Tribal
Gaming and Land in Trust.

One, oft quoted, is Carcieri v Salazar which clearly excludes
either Massachusetts Tribe that are currently recognized:
the Mashpee Wampanoags and the Aquinnah.


The Hawaii decision was signed onto by a majority of
Attorneys General.

In SCOTUS and Hawaii Being Ignored, I included:

Within weeks of the 8-1 Carcieri v Salazar decision,
a second strike on fee to trust was issued. This time it came
from a case originating in the state of Hawaii. In the 9-0 decision
on Hawaii v. the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. Justice Alito wrote,
"It would raise grave constitutional concerns" Congress sought to
"cloud Hawaii's title to its sovereign lands" after it had joined the
Union. "We have emphasized that Congress cannot, after
statehood reserve or convey....lands that have already been
bestowed upon a state". How many readers of this paper could
be effected by issues concerning land that has been "bestowed
upon a state"; as an original colony, through disestablished
territory or when the territory entered into statehood?

This information is readily available via google.

To justify this legislation for the incorrect reason you offered is
absurd.

In addition, if you truly believe the 'threat' posed by Native
American Tribes, you need to be aware that there are an
additional 6 or possibly 8 Massachusetts Tribes that have
filed for recognition.

Your predecessors had the wisdom to oppose expanded
gambling, yet you have continued to accept flawed revenue
and job creation figures.

In my opinion, no Progressive candidate supports Slot Parlors.



Costs --


Senator Tucker got it right in her comments on the floor of the
Senate.

For $500 million or $600 million, you get a Slot Parlor, not a
glamorous resort. The simple arithmetic does not produce
any revenue, but instead, produces a net loss.

Your failure to insist on a study that considers the costs and
impacts of Slot Parlors defines your willingness to accept the
grossly overstated revenue and job projections that don't exist.

Groups formed the Western MA Casino Task Force (WMCAT) of
which Kathleen Norbut is a founding member (and had the dubious
privilege of a obtaining an in depth education about the gambling industry)
and the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC as well as SWAP).
Both of these regional groups are officially neutral on the issue of
expanded gambling. None of the recommendations of the groups
were included in the Speaker's Special Interest Gambling Bill.
The recommendations are supported by the southeastern regional
task force (Lakeville/Middleboro area).

The costs for gambling treatment articulated by the Mass Council
on Compulsive Gambling was over $30 Million per year. The Speaker's
Special Interest Gambling Bill provides $5 Million.

The costs for a new gambling regulatory commission in comparable
states (there is no exact apples:apples) are between $20 million and
$50 million per year. The Speaker's Special Interest Gambling Bill
provides $5 Million. [The current racing commission cost almost that.]

The costs for expansion of the AG's department for surveillance,
oversight, prosecution, equipment and personnel for an entirely
new category of enterprise and organized crime statutes is -
not included or considered in the bill.

The costs for expansion of the MA state police for a new department,
equipment, personnel is - not included or considered in the bill.

The costs for expansion of the local/regional impacted law enforcement
departments for equipment, personnel is - not included or considered in
the bill.

The costs for district courts, DA departments, Sheriffs, Corrections - not
included or considered in the bill.

The mitigation for directly impacted municipalities is $15 Million in the Speaker's
Special Interest Gambling Bill. The WMCAT that has studied these proposals
extensively (ad nauseum) has identified a MINIMUM of $50 million needed
PER impacted casino region. The Palmer Citizens Casino Impact Study
Committee (see town of Palmer website) articulated millions of dollars of direct
impact expenses - $50 million for water alone. The Palmer Town Council that is
majority pro-casino, refused to have a full hearing of the Citizens Impact Study
Committee report and has abolished the committee.

The $100 million for local aid is NOT new revenue. It is an offset for the projected
local aid losses due to the recession that will be in the FY 11 budget and the losses
to the lottery should slots be legalized when gamblers switch from scratching to
tapping buttons to lose their money. The estimated drop in lottery spending if slots
were legalized has ranged from 5-10% Boston Chamber of Commerce; 10% - 17%
Spectrum Gaming ($124 Million - I believe that is in the 2008 report) and independent
research by legislators)

BTW, Spectrum Gaming does not see Racinos/Slot Parlors as economic
development - there is no multiplier effect - from the Governor's report and
Joe Weinert, V-P Spectrum Gaming when visiting the WMCAT 2008 - this
is not mentioned in the report that was developed for and paid by Mr. DeLeo.

For the Speaker's projections to be remotely possible Massachusetts gamblers
would need to continue losing the estimated 4.5 Billion dollars per year with the
Lottery and lose an additional $1.8 Billion dollars per year down a slot machine.
That is a lot of money to be taken out of local and regional economies,
entertainment and small businesses.


The response I received?

On behalf of Governor Deval L. Patrick, thank you for your letter regarding gaming in the Commonwealth. The Governor thinks that there is a right way and a wrong way to expand gaming in Massachusetts. Based on the analysis his administration has done, he believes the right way to maximize jobs and economic development is through limiting expansion to destination resort casinos.

The Governor will keep your thoughts in mind as we continue to monitor casino legislation as is proceeds through the legislative process. It is important that the final plan balance short and long-term job creation and revenue growth with any potential social impact and other costs.

Again, thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts with Governor Patrick on this important issue.


A personal response wasn't anticipated, but Governor, you've isolated yourself with too many "Yes" men willing to stroke your ego and agree. You've forgotten your roots and ignored what Gambling has done to that community.

Pity! You could have been a noteworthy Governor otherwise! We almost thought you cared.

P.S. Does anyone remember this?
Massachusetts Democratic Party Resolution Opposing Predatory Gambling
The Democratic Party used to stand for something.

Massachusetts Democratic Party Resolution Opposing Predatory Gambling

United to Stop Slots in Massachusetts distributed the letter below reminding Democratic Legislators of the Resolution passed at the Democratic Party Convention opposing predatory gambling --

We are writing to bring your attention to the Resolution to oppose predatory gambling that passed that the Democratic State Convention June 2009, cited below. A majority of delegates stood and approved a resolution to oppose legalization of slot machines and any similar efforts to promote addictive and predatory gambling as a means to raise state revenues. As a Democrat, we hope that you will honor and respect the wishes of the Party’s active and involved members that work hard to elect Democrat candidates to represent us by opposing the legalization of slot machines and any similar efforts to promote addictive and predatory gambling.

Proponents of corporate casinos, antiquated racetracks and predatory gambling have spent millions of dollars from out-of-state interests lobbying legislators. We are average citizens and taxpayers of the Commonwealth. We call on you as a Democrat to reject the gimmick of slot revenues for short-term revenues and long-term problems with increased crime, addiction, education, environmental and infrastructure impact.

Democrats proudly stand for long-term sustainable economic growth based upon sensible tax policy and equal citizenship, even, and especially during difficult economic times. The vast majority of revenues from corporate casinos and predatory gambling come from addicted players. We call on you to reject exploiting the weakness of one class of citizens for the alleged benefit of the majority.



RESOLUTION

Whereas the Democratic Party has a long and proud tradition of advocating for social justice, working for policies that promote the public health, and fighting to protect citizens from exploitative and predatory business practices;
And whereas modern slot machines use neuroscience-informed technology to mesmerize and entrap gamblers and to keep them playing until they have exhausted their resources ("playing to extinction");
And whereas medical research has documented the highly addictive nature of the brain's chemical reactions to slot machine stimulation;
And whereas licensing and promoting such addictive, predatory gambling technology for the purpose of raising State revenues goes against the aforementioned values and principles for which the Democratic Party has long stood, and is at odds with the ideals that underlie our Party's honorable and consistent struggle to end the deceptive and predatory lending, marketing, and pricing practices that have pushed so many families to the brink;
And whereas legalizing slot machines would erode participation in the Lottery and siphon away from local small businesses the discretionary spending on goods and services that they depend on;
And whereas the development of slot machine parlors would neither create significant new jobs, nor increase tourism in Massachusetts;
And whereas evidence from other states indicates that the long-term costs of gambling addiction -- increased substance abuse, increased crime, increased family discord and dysfunction -- outweigh the short term benefits of licenses and gambling revenues;

Now, therefore, be it resolved that the Massachusetts Democratic Party, as a matter of both principle and policy, opposes the legalization of slot machines and any similar efforts to promote addictive and predatory gambling as a means of raising public revenues.