Not for me.
"Gambling bill raises hopes for casinos
" August 23, 2011|By Michael Levenson and Noah Bierman, Globe Staff
House and Senate leaders plan today to unveil a much-anticipated bill to license casinos in Massachusetts, bringing forward a new proposal that they hope will address some of the concerns raised by Governor Deval Patrick.
Lawmakers would not discuss the details of the bill yesterday. However, their talks have revolved around plans that would license
three Las Vegas-style casinos in three regions of the state and
one slot machine-only parlor that could be located anywhere in the state.
That would represent a concession by House and Senate leaders, who last year failed to persuade the governor to agree to three casinos and two slot parlors at the state’s racetracks....
Today’s unveiling is a crucial step before the full House and Senate debate the bill after Labor Day. It will give members of the public their first glimpse at
legislation that has been closely guarded behind closed doors, with
even some lawmakers on the committee unsure what was being drafted in private....
That's Massachusetts democracy!
Related: Against All Odds: The Story of How the House Passed Casinos
It's a fait accompli.
Critics have been largely sidelined during the closed-door negotiations this summer....
As well as sidelined by the pro-casino, agenda-pushing paper.
Don't believe me? See for yourself:
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"State leaders agree on casino bill; Proposal would allow 4 gambling facilities; private talks criticized
" August 24, 2011|By Michael Levenson and Noah Bierman, Globe Staff
Governor Deval Patrick and the leaders of the House and Senate yesterday embraced a proposal that would license three casinos and one slot parlor in Massachusetts, uniting the key political players a year after their attempts to expand gambling collapsed in acrimony.
The bill would authorize three Las Vegas-style casinos in three regions, and a fourth gambling hall with up to 1,250 slot machines that could be located anywhere in Massachusetts - all of which backers say would generate much-needed jobs and income for the state.
It represents the state’s third attempt in as many years to legalize casinos, but the first time that Patrick and legislative leaders have worked together to hammer out a proposal before bringing it to the full House and Senate. That collaboration could increase the bill’s chances of passage by avoiding the kind of showdown that killed the legislation last year.
The
casinos would operate 24 hours a day and be smoke-free. They could serve
free alcohol, but could not serve any drinks between 2 a.m. and 8 a.m....
They are going to start serving drinks at 8 a.m.?
Also see: Connecticut Casinos Kill
And so will the ones in Massachusetts.
The
casinos would pay the state 25 percent of their revenues; the slot parlor would pay the state 40 percent of its take, and another 9 percent to a special fund to boost purses for the struggling horse-racing industry.
That's all the state cares about.
Casino opponents, outnumbered in the Legislature, criticized lawmakers for writing the bill behind closed doors....
Gregory Bialecki, Patrick’s economic development secretary, said that despite gloomy global and national indicators, the state economy is strong enough to attract major developers who can finance large, profitable casinos.
“The big question was, did the great recession change the economics of expanded gambling in Massachusetts,’’ he said. “The evidence we have is that this is not the case.’’
Beyond the economics of the proposal, this year’s plan is the product of a
new political dynamic on Beacon Hill,
one that favors gambling proponents who contend the state is losing money and jobs to casinos in Connecticut and other states.
Patrick is now a
year removed from a tough reelection fight that prompted him to temper his support for gambling to appeal to liberals who oppose casinos. For months, he and his aides have
worked closely and behind closed doors with DeLeo and Senate President Therese Murray to draft the latest proposal.
Liberals are always played for such suckers.
The private talks effectively
sidelined critics, who accused the governor and lawmakers of wiring the bill for passage before it even hits the floor of the House and Senate for debate next month.
“Just the brazen, almost
arrogance to the taxpayers that this is
how Beacon Hill conducts business,’’ said Kathleen Conley Norbut, an antigambling activist from Monson. “It’s a
special-interest-driven political proposal that leadership has crafted, yet the impacts to the people who live in the region and who pay taxes are still not clearly vetted.’’
But legislative leaders
defended their approach, saying they want to prevent another bitter public battle.
“We
all want to see this done,’’ DeLeo said in an interview in his office yesterday.
He said he, Murray, and Patrick went over the bill one final time on a conference call Thursday, and
everyone signed off....
I'm getting tired of all the bells, whistles, and lights.
The bill requires communities to hold a ballot referendum before a casino could locate in a community, and
sets aside money to combat compulsive gambling and crime....
As it promotes them.
The bill attempts to combat the corruption that has historically cropped up around casinos by setting up a five-member commission to monitor the industry and a new State Police unit to enforce the law. The commission would
ensure casino developers have “integrity, honesty, [and] good character’’ and could also ban gamblers with “notorious or unsavory reputations.’’
Is that supposed to be a joke?
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"High stakes for gambling licenses; Developers race to offer proposals for casino facilities
" by Casey Ross and Andrew Caffrey, Globe Staff / August 25, 2011
A fierce competition is shaping up for gambling licenses in Massachusetts, with nearly a dozen casino moguls and developers jockeying to build four facilities that would be allowed under new state legislation.
Casino developers who see the state as an
untapped market began unfurling their proposals just hours after the release of legislation Tuesday that, unlike prior gaming bills, has the support of legislative leaders and Governor Deval Patrick. Many of the proposals are backed by national and international gaming interests that operate some of the world’s largest casinos.
Most of the pitches involve resorts with thousands of slot machines and table games, towering hotels, and a long list of amenities. Some developers spoke of
revitalizing downtowns and pumping revenue into cash-strapped communities, while
others promised golf courses, retail and restaurant complexes, and glittering entertainment halls. One plan even includes a waterpark....
I wouldn't bet on it.
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"National interests spending big on Beacon Hill to try to get edge" b
y Michael Levenson, Globe Staff / August 25, 2011
Major national gambling interests
spent $1.14 million in the first six months of the year
to lobby on Beacon Hill, seeking to
influence a handful of powerful lawmakers as they worked behind closed doors to craft the casino bill that was made public Tuesday, according to records compiled by the secretary of state’s office.
Yes, CORPORATE CASH is KING in Massachusetts!
Most of that money was spent to hire lobbyists, who have pressed the interests of Wynn Resorts, Las Vegas Sands Corp., Penn National Gaming, and other gambling firms....
Gambling lobbyists
also gave to the campaign accounts of House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo and Senate President Therese Murray, who wield the most power over the bill....
I fold, and I'm cashing in my chips.
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Casino provision for tribe sparks debate
The bill released this week to legalize casinos in Massachusetts is gaining broad support on Beacon Hill. But a special provision that gives a Native American tribe an inside track on a casino license is already the subject of intense lobbying.
