With the recent discussion of Casinos in relation to a proposed non-binding referendum and possible Senate Budget amendment (which I believe is now dead), so called Racinos have gone under the radar.
It appears that may not be for long. According to Wicked Local Raynham:
top DiMasi deputy, Rep. Paul Donato, chairman of the Committee on Steering, Policy and Scheduling, said the slots proposal would come to the floor “within the next month.”
For the record, I oppose both Casinos and Racinos and am running against Rep Donato in the Sept 16th primary. What’s the pulse here at BMG on Racinos?
Please share widely!
A truly terrible idea that would benefit only a few track owners. I find it hard to believe that a racino bill would pass the House. In any event, Gov. Patrick has said, I believe, that he would veto a racino bill that reached his desk. Let’s hope that remains the case.
Slot machines are class III gaming and that may open the door to a real casino in Middleborough and beyond.
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p>It looks like Speaker Dimasi has promised a vote as further evidenced in the article entitled – Ehrlich: Let public voice say on casinos. Ryan must be tearing his hair out…
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p>I know Rep Donato has voted in favor of Racinos in the past. I’m not so confident that this doesn’t have a chance.
I can’t help but wonder if this ties in with an “Everything Must Go!” attitude in DiMasi’s office…if he’s on his way out as Speaker, why even worry about ethical problems. It’s equivalent to the last-minute pardons; what’s holding him back from dancing all over that thin line that separates ethical from non-ethical?
I’m not sure what the tie in is, but I do remember reading that the Speaker was committed to giving casinos and racinos a fair shake on the floor. On the ethics stuff I don’t believe it is fair to speculate.
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p>The point of my post was essentially – A racino discussion is coming and lets not assume that it will be defeated easily. And of course it was an opportunity to point out a difference between me and Rep Donato 😉
This would be a bigggggggg $$ give away to 3 families.
but has since made comments suggesting he’s very open to compromise.
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p>Speaker DiMasi has share his public sentiments concerning gambling. The Patrick administration has an insatiable appetite for revenue!
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p>Addiction is addiction whatever one calls it! A rose is a rose!
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p>Deval will go to any length to raise revenue!
How about a toll both on 93? Good idea!?!
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Well, this was not an issues I had been watching, but I will set a couple of data rodents to keep an eye on it and report. Not like I don’t have enough to do.
I am beginning to miss the days of despising Mitt for his pretentiousness. It was so vapidly honest compared to these clowns.
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p>Checking out.
Here’s another reason to oppose legalizing slots at racetracks: it would prop up the cruelty of greyhound racing.
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p>The fine print of the pending legislation requires that dog racing continue in order for the tracks to operate slot machines. Also, the new law would require that millions in slots profits be used to subsidize dog races.
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p>Yours,
Carey Theil