Senator Rosenberg: Wipe the egg off your face!

Because the Senators behave like a bunch of adolescents and the conduct of business is barely audible when sitting in the Senate Chamber, the live video at home where the continuous chatter is filtered out was far more productive and listening in the background as the inaccurate discussion of Indian Gaming arose was most distressing.

Although attention was divided, Senator Rosenberg apparently circulated a memo to his colleagues that contains some egregious misinformation, distorts the history of the CT Slot Parlors, and pretends to use LIT (Land into Trust) as the threat posed to immediately approve the grossly flawed and hastily composed Casino Legislation being debated before the Senate.

It was clear from listening to Senator Rosenberg's description that he has never read "Without Reservation" that was distributed to each member of the legislature at one time when the Aquinnah proposed a casino on the Plymouth waterfront.

It is my understanding (and I'll post the transcripts when available), that the Senators believe Carcieri v Salazer poses some imminent threat.

Because the comments I heard Senator Rosenberg make were so totally wrong, the following email was sent to him --

Honorable Senator Rosenberg:

You are incorrect in the comments you made about
Land Into Trust.

Both Carcieri v Salazar and the Hawaii decision PREVENT
LIT.

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

SCOTUS and Hawaii Being Ignored

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

Massachusetts does NOT find itself in a comparable situation
to Connecticut.

Texas has successfully prevented Tribal Casinos because they
have NOT legalized slots.

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.

Respectfully,

The following represents the reply from Senator Rosenberg --

We have consulted with competent legal council and with the BIA and they say the Mashpee will get land in trust within a reasonable period of time. They appear to be the only tribe in the foreseeable future that is expected to get there and be able to install gaming.

If the state does nothing there is ample precedents for class II machines with no taxation, community mitigation or regulation. This has been thoroughly researched and documented. I am not the only Senator researching these issues. Senator Morrissey and Spilka both of whom are attorneys have also researched this exhaustively and have come to the same conclusions.

I know this conflicts with your perspective but it is an honest difference of opinions.

Stan Rosenberg

This is NOT a difference of opinion, honest or otherwise.

It is my recollection that the Massachusetts Attorney General signed on to the Hawaii decision.

This was posted in 2009 --

SCOTUS and Hawaii Being Ignored

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?

The research and fact finding of this process have been conspicuously lacking.

Senator Rosenberg, NO ONE, not even you can offer a cost for the bureaucracy you're creating.

Senator, you need to do your research and not simply find a colleague who believes he/she has offered an opinion.

At NO TIME have I heard any Senator address that the SCOTUS Hawaii decision negates your argument.

There will be NO TRIBAL CASINO ON TRUST LAND IN THE COMMONWEALTH, unless these folks in the Senate approve this folly.

In addition, I would call it to your attention that the Mashpee Wampanoags' historical connections to Middleboro have been challenged, but their historical connections to Fall River? Surely you jest?

I remember when Glenn Marshall told us it was INEVITABLE and THOSE SHOVELS WOULD BE IN THE GROUND ......

Uniting against casinos

Uniting against casinos
Towns join forces to address impact


Western suburbs started planning last week to join forces to address concerns about casinos.

Known for their rigid independence and fierce sovereignty, Massachusetts communities are usually suspicious of regionalization. But the possibility of a resort-style casino in Milford, or Marlborough, has communities thinking there is power in numbers.

“If I were even to support some expanded gambling bill, I believe it’s critical there be some regional acceptance. It has to go beyond just the host community,’’ said state Senator Karen Spilka, a Democrat from Ashland, who, as Senate chairwoman of the Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies, held Beacon Hill hearings this fall on multiple bills that would expand gambling. “It will have regional impacts. There has to be regional acceptance and regional mitigation as well.’’

Residents and officials from several towns, including Natick, Wellesley, Ashland, Hopkinton, Holliston, Milford, and Framingham, gathered at the Ashland Public Library on Wednesday for “Regional Casino Contingency Planning: Collaborative Preparation for a Potential Gaming Destination in 495/MetroWest,’’ the meeting organized by the Metropolitan Area Planning Council, the 495/MetroWest Partnership, and other groups.

Participants talked about strategy with two Monson residents who have been successful in harnessing their region’s powerbrokers to air concerns about a possible casino in their area, and also got an update from Spilka on the state’s view of expanded gaming.

“The House is working on a bill now,’’ she said. “That will maybe come out in February or March. There will be a hearing on the bill, I assume. The House will take it up and then it will come to the Senate. . . . I honestly don’t know at this point what will be in it.’’

The Legislature could legalize resort casinos, with a limit on the numbers for either the entire state or for particular regions, said Spilka. There are also bills for “racinos,’’ she said, which would allow slot machines at racetracks.

She emphasized that although the governor, speaker of the House, and Senate president have all voiced support for casinos, no one really knows yet what the mood is in the rest of the Legislature.

Spilka said that because the Legislature is in the second year of a two-year session, everything has to be resolved by July 31, or the entire process starts over in the next session.

The Western Massachusetts Casino Task Force has already organized 15 towns, which together submitted a list of 23 concerns to legislators that organizers hope will figure into any final law.

Edward Harrison, chairman of the task force and a Monson selectman, said the effort began in 2007 after Mohegan Sun, a giant casino in Uncasville, Conn., optioned some land in nearby Palmer.

Harrison’s task force wants to establish a regional mitigation fund so that surrounding towns can be compensated for any negative effects from casinos. He urged the audience to talk to their legislators, because once legislation is passed, there probably won’t be much chance for amendments.

“We probably only have one bite at the apple,’’ said Harrison.

Among the 23 concerns, the task force asks that enrollment costs for new students who are children of casino workers be paid from tax and license revenues.

A regional ballot vote is also requested so that approval of a new casino would include not only the host community but also neighboring communities.

Other points seek to mitigate social and public health costs, infrastructure expenses, and environmental impact.

The task force also wants a cost-benefit analysis. Spilka said it appears that the House and Senate have already agreed to an updated study since the governor’s study predates the recession.

Kathleen Conley Norbut, a founding member of the task force and president of United to Stop Slots in Massachusetts, fielded a question on education costs. She said the task force learned from the Connecticut experience, where surrounding towns had to expand English language programs in their schools.

Another important lesson, she said, is that towns have to understand the approval process just as the casino developers do. State environmental regulations, for example, could be triggered when no one expects it.

“We also found that the process is not necessarily a smooth decision-making process,’’ said Norbut.

Dennis Giombetti, a Framingham selectman who moderated the meeting, said the next step is for regional groups to write their own letters to the Legislature.

“I think the casino issue needs to be discussed from a regional perspective,’’ he said before the meeting. “Obviously the host community will have some jurisdiction, but the actual casino will have a major regional impact.’’

Playbook: Silence the Facts! Tyranny Prevails!

On Saturday, October 10, 2009, the USTA officially announced that the Massachusetts Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies would hold hearings on Gambling on Thursday, October 29 at 10 AM, Gardner Auditorium.

Oh?

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Since below is the address of USTA, Huh?
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United States Trotting Association 750 Michigan Ave. Columbus, Ohio 43215
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Since Ohio will be voting for the 5th time on predatory gambling, that's a curious connection.

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The article indicates --
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....according to an e-mail received yesterday afternoon by Plainridge Racecourse President Gary T. Piontkowski.
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Senator Spilka, did you forget to notify the Massachusetts media? Did you neglect to post an agenda of any sort anywhere on any type of "official" web site?

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Or, Senator, was it your intent to hold another Casino Lovefest filled with gambling shills like your June 2009 Joke? Remember, that was the one you claimed was 'educational,' included mostly casino shills and you refused to release an agenda until just prior to the event, refused to allow audience questions or even a balanced agenda?

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Did you read the Globe article posted here -- Know when to fold 'em ?

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Senator, did you fail to notice that resolution that was passed at the June 2009 Democratic State Convention? Hmmmm. I'm sure someone could get you a copy and maybe they could explain that those delegates are the ones who work really hard to get you folks elected. Seems like a pretty trashy way to treat the dedicated.

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Pretty sleazy! Consistent with The Playbook, but a few of us expected better of you.

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Professor Kindt spoke at Ambassador Hunt's home. Did you invite him to your love fest?

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It's time for a cost/benefit analysis that considers the expenses and impacts, just as New Hampshire is doing.

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The closest thing the Commonwealth has had to a gambling referendum was Ballot Question 3.

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Here are the results --

Ballot Question 3 - Senate Districts

Ballot Question 3 - House Districts

Karen Spilka 58% Second Middlesex & Norfolk

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Leadership is doing what's right to serve the common good, not ignoring the "crappification" of the Commonwealth.

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