[Below is a statement released by Speaker DiMasi on the Governor’s casino legislation, posted by David Guarino, the Speaker’s communications director]
“The legislation filed by the Governor today to allow casino gambling in the Commonwealth will go through the normal, deliberative process in the House of Representatives. It will get a full, fair hearing and be properly analyzed and vetted, a process that cannot and should not be done hastily.
“To me, a number of unanswered questions about creating a casino culture in the Commonwealth remain – questions I asked when we began this discussion last month. Those questions still include: Is this good economic development policy for the Commonwealth? Where is the proof of substantial, sustained economic benefits? Will the so-called revenue be merely offset by the obvious negative effects of gambling? And why would we want to do something of this nature that will so dramatically change the landscape and image of our Commonwealth?
“As we look toward hearings on this bill next year, the House will build on the success of programs like our economic stimulus and streamlined permitting laws that are already helping our economy grow. We will continue to focus on sustainable economic development options for the Commonwealth, including targeted investments in emerging industries like life sciences and renewable energy.”
Have you heard from Ray Rogers recently?
Nice to see someone asking these questions. Too bad it’s not the governor…
It’s just that you don’t happen to like the governor’s conclusions.
I didn’t add any HTML tags to the subject line or the comment itself. And the formatting was left on AUTO_FORMAT.
I cannot agree with your statements as it is clear that the Administration has not conducted a thorough analysis of expanded gaming in the Commonwealth in the teeter-totter walk toward developing a Bill. Let's look at a few oopsies:
1. Boston – No-Boston – Metro Boston
2. Capping class III gaming at 3 locations! That's a belly laugh!
3. No involvement of District Attorneys and Judicial costs for additional criminal “issues”.
4. No assessment of the costs to mitigate local impacts or infrastructure. Would anyone with a real world view assume that they might be the same in different regions/communities??????
5. No slots at tracks but allowed at “Resort” casinos, see belly laugh above
6. Costs to taxpayers for courts with lawsuits re: the above.
7. No assessment of current (pathetic) funding levels for social services to treat addiction, financial crises, domestic abuse and child neglect and the gap to get to providing adequate services before addding additional needs.
8. No assessment of regional educational costs of new residents employees' children including ESL in districts that currently do not have trained personnel.
9. Special education costs
10. It's an embarrassment to see such shoddy workmanship on the roll-out of a major policy initiative.
Certainly, some defense attorneys will find the whole endeavor quite lucrative, maybe those are the good permanent jobs the Governor has been pitching?
12. The effect of the casinos on vernal pools and spotted salamanders.
I have to trust that he asked these questions, because Deval reached his casino commandment in an air of Bush-level secrecy. He just came down from the mountain one day, after doing who-knows-what. Secret deliberations, secret meetings, secret studies. Zero public input.
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Democracy isn’t something that should be taken on faith.
Not even Lou Dobbs!