RSSThe Drive for Casinos in Massachusetts Stalls Out
Jul 22
Politics and Nation Comments Off
Anti-casino opposition is heating up in Massachusetts as the legislature argues over the details of the two bills passed in the House and Senate earlier this year. Numerous legislative hours have gone into merging the two bills into something to send before the Governor to sign when, according to the group United to Stop Slots in Massachusetts, those hours could be put to something more useful to the Commonwealth.
It is a sound argument even if, in the sum total of the group’s intentions, the entire bill would die before ever going before the Governor. What is the hold up? Does the exact number of resort-style casinos matter that much (two in the original House bill; three in the Senate version)? The House recently conceded to the Senate’s three casino-plan anyway. Slot machines at the racetracks have had a long embattled history but this is 2010, and gambling opportunities are more widespread than ever. Does Governor Patrick really want to make slots the sticking point that grinds to a halt all development of casino-style gambling in the Commonwealth? (Short answer: yes, as he has already made public statements against slot machines at the racetracks).
The quibbling is a strange thing, particularly as the intended bill has the support of many local communities hoping to bridge revenue shortfalls. The estimates of potential revenue generation vary wildly, but there is no doubt that many people would support the casinos by going there and spending money -- at least in the short term. Whether casinos can operate as long term revenue generators for the state seems besides the point at the moment, and yet a bill still hasn’t been hammered out.
Maybe, as suggested, the legislature does have other things to worry about? Among the concerns waiting in the queue are a health care debate over how to control costs for the providers, the state and the covered, and state economic stimulus. And the fact is, the legislative session ends in one week which means if the legislature can’t come to an agreement on this bill, a lot of other issues were shoved aside for no gain.
For opposition groups to argue that there are more important issues to consider is both correct and besides the point. The real point is if both the House and the Senate started out in agreement to bring casinos to Massachusetts (with the support of the Governor, no less), then what is stopping them from coming to agreement now?
Andrew Marx is the author of On 21: The Philosophy of Blackjack, available from amazon.com and other retailers.
