Blue Mass Group

Reality-based commentary on politics.

An invitation to keep Massachusetts “Casino Free” and a video to make you proud

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Casinos were definitely not in my top 10 issues but the truth is the more you look at this, the more you see how it touches the top issues we all care about. This isn’t about whether you like to play poker or not. But, it is an issue for everyone who cares about a fair and stable revenue streams, creative and dynamic economic development, and how we use or abuse the environmental resources we’ve been entrusted with.  This is about the vision of economic development for the future of our state. We should be able to expect from our state government economic development plans that aren’t dependent on job loss, small business closing, and the promotion of a product that we know will increase addiction and human suffering at great cost. As I heard a woman say at a town committee meeting, “we’re better than this and you all (legislators and administration) are smarter than this.”  

There’s been deep and thoughtful conversation here on the casino issues. My invitation to you all now is to join with your neighbors around the state to be a part of the public witness to the kind of state we all value and deserve. Three ways:

  • Come to our Statehouse on Tuesday March 18, for the Joint Committee on Economic Development hearing on the casino bills. The hearing begins in Gardiner Auditorium at 10am but I’m sure there’s going to be stuff going on inside and outside before it. Live blog it. Testify. Meet up with you Casino Free Mass neighbors. Visit your legislator.
  • Come to the League of Women Voters Day on the Hill Wednesday March 19 to meet even more neighbors, keynote speaker, Speaker DiMasi.
  • Call your Rep and Senator now and make sure they know what you think before they vote. In case you don’t remember who represents you in our Legislature, here are the names, phone numbers and emails

    Casino Free Mass has just released a new video from Jimmy Tingle. I love this video. Watch the video, email it to your friends, sign up for Casino Free Mass http://www.casinofreemass.org , and if the spirit moves you, donate to make sure more people see this message.

    Let’s together bet on our state, not casinos. www.casinofreemass.org

    *Full Disclosure- I proudly serve on the steering committee for Casino Free Mass and I’m a member of the League of Women Voters.

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    • Comments

    1. And I’m heartened to hear that there’s so much state opposition to this. Thanks for all your work!

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      p>I will share the video with lots of MA folks!

    2. If Twin Rivers in Rhode Island is having problems maybe there are enough casinos now.  Is the market already saturated?  Will the coming economic collapse only exacerbate the situation?

      • …to call your reps and ask them to hold off approving a proposal raising so many important questions.

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        p>You can’t get rid of these things after they’re already established.

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        p>States with casinos have higher taxes.  Native American casinos are not inevitable if we don’t act.  Big myth.

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        p>Casinos will become part of our culture if we don’t make the effort to raise questions.  Make the calls. The legislature is holding hearings this week!

    3. I think the idea of having casinos all over the state is ludicrous.
      What’s the purpose of cheapening the quality  of life, not to mention the very fabric and culture of this state and reducing it to a tawdry mess?  Nothing, as far as I’m concerned.  It’s a cheap way to make money…and stupid, to boot.

    4. Laura points out that this debate is all about the kind of government we want and how we are going to pay for it.

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      My invitation to you all now is to join with your neighbors around the state to be a part of the public witness to the kind of state we all value and deserve.

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      p>After 15 years of state and local tax cuts that have crippled our ability to repair and restore the public structures that educate our children, repair our roads, keep our water and air clean, support job development and care for our poor,elderly and disabled, it is good to hear Laura’s put the casino argument in the context of the need for

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      fair and stable revenue streams, creative and dynamic economic development, and how we use or abuse the environmental resources we’ve been entrusted with.

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