"Crew" About To Descend On Springfield To Lobby On Gaming Bill
As Des Plaines Mayor Marty Moylan says it, "a big crew" of lobbyists and other interested individuals will descend on state capital Springfield Monday, Jan. 3, to advocate for and against major legislation dealing with everything from workmen's compensation to an income tax hike.
Right at the top of the heap of proposals is the massive gambling package that calls for five new casinos in the state---including one in Chicago---and gaming devices such as slot machines at the state's six horse race tracks. Des Plaines' interest in the legislation is enormous because around July or August Illinois' 10th licensed riverboat casino is scheduled to open on River Road near Devon Avenue. Should all or a major part of the proposed gaming expansion bill pass, it could have a profound effect on the amount of annual income the Des Plaines casino generates for the city and the operation's owner, Midwest Gaming and Entertainment, LLC. Should more casinos and "racinos" be added, Moylan and Midwest believes it will dilute the annual revenue the Des Plaines casino and the other nine casinos in Illinois generate by millions of dollars per year.
In November, the Illinois Senate passed the huge gaming expansion bill as proposed by State Senator Terry Link of Vernon Hills. Now the measure moves on to the Illinois House where a vote on the matter needs to be taken before the new General Assembly is sworn in to office in about a week. If the bill isn't acted on, legislators will have to introduce new legislation after the new officials are sworn in to office if they want to pursue gaming expansion.
The Illinois Feeding Frenzy is about to begin.
Instead of sound fiscal policies to re-build a sustainable economic base, lawmakers seek the false solution of expanded gambling on which to expand the House of Cards they've constructed.
Careful! There aren't many discretionary dollars left to suck from the pockets of the poor!
My apologies to the vultures who feed to survive, unlike the Casino Vultures who feed their own greed, to the detriment of taxpayers.
Showing posts with label sustainable development. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sustainable development. Show all posts
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Illinois Feeding Frenzy About to Begin
Monday, November 8, 2010
Suggestion to the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribal Council
Suggestion to the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribal Council
Posted by Ira on October 19, 2010
(note: no reply yet, as of 11/2/10)
October 18, 2010
The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribal Council
Cedric Cromwell, Aaron Tobey Jr., Mark Harding, Marie Stone,
Yvonne Avant, Cheryl Frye-Cromwell, Selena Jonas, Carlton Hendricks,
Gordon Harris, Winnie Johnson- Graham, Trish Keliinui
Mashpee, MA 02649
Dear Members of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribal Council
I am writing you to suggest an idea that I hope you will all consider on its merits, submitted to you with total respect.
It is an unusual proposal, which you might effortlessly reject. But please take some time to consider how it may be worthwhile, from the perspectives of economics, social good, politics, heritage, and sustainability.
The idea is this: that the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribal Council makes the extraordinary decision to forego the opportunity to open casinos in Massachusetts, and instead, negotiates with the state government to enter the world of industry, creating green products, manufacturing jobs, and strengthening the tax base of a state that, like many others, has been losing the ability to provide basic services, not to mention create a renaissance of education, innovation, and quality of life.
I understand the simple concept of taking advantage of your unique standing, able to open gambling venues, and acquire the wealth it will no doubt attract. But I’m sure you are aware of all the social negatives that gambling produces, from family-destroying addictions, to diverting spending from necessities, also hurting local business, and creating mostly low paying employment.
But I’m unclear, as a long time admirer of Indian history and culture, how it has come to this point, where your legacy is intertwined in that industry. I don’t understand the relevance to you, as a people. Especially after watching, last night, and completely coincidentally, a fascinating documentary on public television about the history of the Wampanoag, it seems to me you have a destiny for greater greatness than gambling casinos.
My original idea was that the Wampanoag tribe, with a fabulous assist from the state government, acquire the rights to the defunct (Springfield, Mass native) brand Indian Motorcycle, and produce those vehicles in a green (electric or fuel cell) variety. I have since come to learn that the brand is now reborn, and run out of a company in North Carolina. But they don’t have electric and/or fuel cell technology; so maybe you could still partner with them, or create something new. A bit of Googling will alert you about how green technology motorcycles are the next big thing. And your basis for making the righteous claims about protecting the planet is obvious.
If not motorcycles, many other machines or appliances or other durable goods would also be clear winners. There is so much good reason to buy American these days; and buying Indian would feel so right to so many people, I believe. And you could employ many people who’ve been underemployed in this state, both Indian and non-Indian.
My thinking is that the state would be wise to buy the development rights for casinos, and instead, subsidize and tax exempt your efforts for training, construction of facilities, and all the rest that would go into start up and maintenance. Massachusetts, and your tribe, would gain so much goodwill and enhanced reputation for this socially desirable alternative.
I understand how naive this may sound to you, but to many it would be a Massachusetts miracle. Job growth, smart strategy, improving lives, saving the Earth- and Indians leading the way, in the state where Europeans first landed.
I would love to be a part of your thinking process, so please don’t hesitate to contact me. I run a program at UMass that educates and supports family businesses, and this idea could give birth to a magic family company.
Many thanks for your time and attention.
Sincerely
Ira Bryck
Cc: State Senator Stan Rosenberg
Governor Deval Patrick
Posted by Ira on October 19, 2010
(note: no reply yet, as of 11/2/10)
October 18, 2010
The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribal Council
Cedric Cromwell, Aaron Tobey Jr., Mark Harding, Marie Stone,
Yvonne Avant, Cheryl Frye-Cromwell, Selena Jonas, Carlton Hendricks,
Gordon Harris, Winnie Johnson- Graham, Trish Keliinui
Mashpee, MA 02649
Dear Members of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribal Council
I am writing you to suggest an idea that I hope you will all consider on its merits, submitted to you with total respect.
It is an unusual proposal, which you might effortlessly reject. But please take some time to consider how it may be worthwhile, from the perspectives of economics, social good, politics, heritage, and sustainability.
The idea is this: that the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribal Council makes the extraordinary decision to forego the opportunity to open casinos in Massachusetts, and instead, negotiates with the state government to enter the world of industry, creating green products, manufacturing jobs, and strengthening the tax base of a state that, like many others, has been losing the ability to provide basic services, not to mention create a renaissance of education, innovation, and quality of life.
I understand the simple concept of taking advantage of your unique standing, able to open gambling venues, and acquire the wealth it will no doubt attract. But I’m sure you are aware of all the social negatives that gambling produces, from family-destroying addictions, to diverting spending from necessities, also hurting local business, and creating mostly low paying employment.
But I’m unclear, as a long time admirer of Indian history and culture, how it has come to this point, where your legacy is intertwined in that industry. I don’t understand the relevance to you, as a people. Especially after watching, last night, and completely coincidentally, a fascinating documentary on public television about the history of the Wampanoag, it seems to me you have a destiny for greater greatness than gambling casinos.
My original idea was that the Wampanoag tribe, with a fabulous assist from the state government, acquire the rights to the defunct (Springfield, Mass native) brand Indian Motorcycle, and produce those vehicles in a green (electric or fuel cell) variety. I have since come to learn that the brand is now reborn, and run out of a company in North Carolina. But they don’t have electric and/or fuel cell technology; so maybe you could still partner with them, or create something new. A bit of Googling will alert you about how green technology motorcycles are the next big thing. And your basis for making the righteous claims about protecting the planet is obvious.
If not motorcycles, many other machines or appliances or other durable goods would also be clear winners. There is so much good reason to buy American these days; and buying Indian would feel so right to so many people, I believe. And you could employ many people who’ve been underemployed in this state, both Indian and non-Indian.
My thinking is that the state would be wise to buy the development rights for casinos, and instead, subsidize and tax exempt your efforts for training, construction of facilities, and all the rest that would go into start up and maintenance. Massachusetts, and your tribe, would gain so much goodwill and enhanced reputation for this socially desirable alternative.
I understand how naive this may sound to you, but to many it would be a Massachusetts miracle. Job growth, smart strategy, improving lives, saving the Earth- and Indians leading the way, in the state where Europeans first landed.
I would love to be a part of your thinking process, so please don’t hesitate to contact me. I run a program at UMass that educates and supports family businesses, and this idea could give birth to a magic family company.
Many thanks for your time and attention.
Sincerely
Ira Bryck
Cc: State Senator Stan Rosenberg
Governor Deval Patrick
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
