In 2009, the Massachusetts Democratic Party passed a Resolution
opposing Predatory Gambling that Governor Patrick has ignored.
Found here:
Massachusetts Democratic Party Resolution Opposing Predatory Gambling
It was distributed to every Democratic member on Beacon Hill.
In 2009, a long overdue meeting was held by the Governor with
a coalition of Casino Opponents.
Governor Patrick agreed to support an INDEPENDENT COST BENEFIT
ANALYSIS after meeting with the group:
Maybe it’s time to talk!
Please remember that the Governor spent $189,000 hard earned taxpayer dollars, on the Spectrum Gaming Report that was designed to overstate jobs and revenue projections, not consider the costs and impacts.
The cost of the INDEPENDENT COST BENEFIT ANALYSIS, as proposed by the Coalition would have been nominal!
Governor Patrick downplayed his intent long enough to appease members of the coalition, convince them of his sincerity to gain re-election and promptly returned to his secret meetings and promotion of Destination Resort Slot Barns.
Shortly after is re-election, the Governor met in secret with a group of Tribes, led them to believe he would support ‘state land into trust’ and a Slot Barn in Freetown. Rumors abound!
Since Beacon Hill has exempted itself from Open Meeting Laws, the back room deals will never be disclosed.
And on that laundry list of ‘things to do,’ it included convicting former House Speaker Sal DiMasi, a staunch Casino Opponent who squashed the Governor’s original plans.
Lest you think revenge wasn’t in the Governor’s plan, he was still smarting about his defeat when I had an opportunity to discuss Gambling with him after a Community Forum in Franklin.
A good case can be made that Deval Patrick’s intent was to cram through flawed Gambling legislation prior to his election, consequences be damned!
This has since been removed:
Diane B. Patrick
Partner
Ropes & Gray
One International Place
Boston, MA 02110-2624
Gaming
Attorneys
Gaming
Gaming trade associations, leading companies and principal investors turn to Ropes & Gray for advice on matters ranging from litigation and regulatory issues, to financing and transactional engagements, to internal investigations and out-of-court workouts and insolvencies. We work with participants in all portions of the industry, including commercial casino companies, tribal operations and technology suppliers. We understand how the industry’s unique regulatory environment influences most legal issues. Recent engagements have included:
Defending several lawsuits brought by allegedly compulsive gamblers, and helping many clients develop meaningful, responsible gaming programs.
Defending against U.S. Treasury enforcement proceedings for failures to file currency transaction reports, and pressing the industry’s concerns before Treasury on “suspicious activity reporting.”
Leading the industry effort to shape anti-terrorism restrictions proposed by the Coast Guard for casino riverboats in the wake of the September 11 tragedies.
Advising both underwriters and investors in more than a dozen major debt financings for tribal gaming properties.
Advocating before the U.S. Interior Department concerning tribal gaming compacts and the designation of initial reservations.
Defending a casino developer against a multimillion dollar claim by a local government for failing to win a state license for a proposed casino project.
Defending a gaming company before the Federal Election Commission against charges of improper campaign donations.
Representing major creditors in a Chapter 11 reorganization of a multi-state gaming entity.
Advising numerous clients concerning the application of state anti-lottery laws to proposed promotional programs, including Internet activities.
Seeking certiorari from the United States Supreme Court in a First Amendment challenge to limitations on campaign donations by casino licensees.
Ropes & Gray is the only national law firm that is a member of the American Gaming Association, which also is a client of the firm on a number of matters.
Contact:
For further information on this area of practice, please contact:
Litigation and Regulatory Matters – David O. Stewart
Financing and Transactional – Lawrence D. Bragg
Workouts and Insolvencies – Don S. DeAmicis
We have all been betrayed by a Governor who took office with an intent to push through Predatory Gambling!
And then he’ll move on to higher office with the generous support of wealthy Gambling Investors, leaving behind the detritus he’s created.
Remember this post by Doug Rubin? Maybe someone should do an oral history project as to what was said … then … vs …. what is being done now. See: http://vps28478.inmotionhosting.com/~bluema24/2008/03/putting-change-into-action/
Remember all that promised openness, civic engagement, concern for social justice??? That was THEN; this is NOW!
Interesting post in 2008.
This Doug?
From: Patrick breaks own rules on casinos
Faces questions over donations, meetings
This was in 2009:
Crooked and Crookeder
How prophetic!
When you’re closeted with lobbyists, the Gambling Industry, Native Americans, insiders and who knows who else, was that Civic Engagement that flew out the windows?
This wasn’t quite the beginning, but a start:
Crooked and Crookeder
From:
Massachusetts: House Cleaning Required #1
When Republicans proposed Reforms that would have included a requirement that LOBBYISTS wear badges, this was Rep, Binienda’s response:
From: Massachusetts Corruption
His subsequent apology:
Rep. John Binienda issues apology for comparing name badge proposal to ‘Nazis’
One must wonder if Rep. Binienda doesn’t want the LOBBYISTS flooding his office to be noticed.
It should be noted that House Speaker “Racino” DeLeo rewarded obedience with Chairmenships – extra pay, larger offices, bigger staffs.
Rep. Binienda wasn’t alone is obtaining Hack jobs.
the son of state Representative John Binienda and the brother of then-Representative Paul Kujawski.
From: Massachusetts: House Cleaning Required #2
another hack job:
the brother of then-Representative Paul Kujawski.
From: Beacon Hill Mired in Scandals
From: Massachusetts: Beacon Hill Deafness Prevails
Of the Alcoholic Beverage Commission:
Relatives Hired – Another Beacon Hill Hack-O-Rama
The defense: The two available slots had to go to relatives of lawmakers, or the Legislature would not fund the positions, according to legal documents.
And I must wonder why no one is asking why Senator Richard T. “Debt Collector” Moore was so concerned about wealthy Gambling Investors collecting their debts.
For more:
The real “culture of corruption”
Massachusetts: Where Business Is Conducted BEHIND CLOSED DOORS
Massachusetts Corruption
From: Alice’s Rabbit Hole and Senator Menard
and then the Governor lied: http://wampaleaks.blogspot.com/
It’s time for House Cleaning and it shouldn’t stop at the Alcoholic Beverage Commission.
I am vehemently opposed to casino gambling in Massachusetts. I read this post looking for commentary that will be helpful and effective in the ongoing public debate. While I do not question the veracity or conviction behind any of these posts, I do not find them helpful. Can we move the conversation to what debates and strategies we can engage in?
Thank you for chiming in on the matter that continues to “suck air out of the room (even behind closed-doors!)” when really critical issues are before our state and federal governments.
As grassroots concerned citizens, I believe the traditional strategy of contacting legislators and Governor Patrick as well as media to ask for:
Make noise.
I’ve attended some of the sham Hearings conducted in Gardner Auditorium for which legislators should be embarrassed.
They’ve chosen to hear, listen to and acquiesce to the Gambling Industry, campaign contributions and having their egoes stroked by lobbyists.
The House version was written by the Gambling Industry and included everything their black hearts desired.
My State Rep. Tom Calter voted against the ‘self-exclusion amendment’ that was proposed by the opposition to make a reprehensible bill less bad. Since he failed to respond to my query, one can assume that either he was uninformed about the matters or too willing to ingratiate himself to the Speaker.
My State Senator Marc Pacheco fell in love with Slot Machines and ignores all else. Evidence be damned!
Senator Pacheco departed Gardner Auditorium when I got up to speak after I had listened to his endless comments in support of Slot Machines. He ignored my raised hand in a public forum until another woman forced him to acknowledge me.
Senate President “Cha Ching” Murray brags that she never reads anything “ANTI.”
A recently published article indicated they were conducting a head count in the House and the Senate.
Inherent within the definition of DEBATE should be that minds are not yet made up, but Beacon Hill has re-defined the word.
My post was not intended to propose action and strategies, just simply criticize the political corruption on Beacon Hill.
For strategy, I would recommend that you get involved with one of the many groups that have been speaking out and protesting this Folly, as well as familiarize yourself with the wide-ranging issue that define why this shouldn’t even be under discussion.
In addition, as an individual, there is much you can do, beginning with contacting your Rep., Senator and the Governor.
Beyond that, you might consider writing letters to the editor, although it has been noted that the newspaper are not printing opposition letters.
You might also consider the words of former Attorney General Scott Harshbarger:
Massachusetts Isn’t Ready for Casino Gambling
This time, the small number of Republicans on Beacon Hill have it right.
The Republicans want 10 days to digest the legislation.
In 2010, the legislation was available at the end of the week, with amendments due on Monday – both the House and the Senate versions. And the Conference Committee ERRATA-filled version was availible on Friday, voted on Saturday with NO debate.
The Republicans have proposed Ethics Reform that includes having Lobbyists wear badges.
Anyone who has watched the Vultures circling the corridors of the State House could hardly disagree.
But most importantly, it’s time the Open Meeting Laws were extended to include Beacon Hill to stop the Back Room Deals.