It is interesting to note that when Massachusetts State Reps, Michael Morrissey and Brian Wallace proposed that a question be added to the state’s presidential primary See Globe Article that would allow voters to express an opinion on the Governor’s proposal for establishing three state-sanctioned casinos in Massachusetts, Senate president, Therese Murray was quick to indicate her enthusiasm for bringing the proposal to debate in the senate. Since all of the above-mentioned are on record as being casino supporters, it is safe to say that they expect the answer to the question:
“Do you support the establishment of up to three resort casinos in Massachusetts?” will be strongly positive.
With the Governor touting nearly half a billion dollars of projected tax revenue and thousands of new jobs, this reaction is easy to predict. So, seeing the outcome of this proposed public response going her way, Murray is jumping on the bandwagon of soliciting public support. This is, of course, the opposite course she took when over 170,000 Massachusetts citizens petitioned to put the question of gay marriage on the ballot. In that case, she, and her colleagues, took the tack that the legislature knew better and that the question was too “sensitive” to be put before the people as they denied access to the ballot for this issue. On the other hand, the Morrissey-Wallace proposal is for a non-binding referendum, so its results can easily be ignored if necessary.
In the meantime, Rep, Tom Calter (D-Kingston) who represents the Middleborough precinct that would be home to the proposed Wampanoag casino has announced his opposition See Article to that planned facility, primarily on the basis of the impact of an estimated 50,000 additional cars on the already congested local roadways. While clearly not a blanket opposition to the larger issue of casino gambling for Massachusetts, it is at least a start at looking at all aspects of casinos and not just blindly chasing elusive revenue projections.
On the face of it, casino gambling may look like a perfect solution. Casino attendance is voluntary. If you don’t want to contribute, stay home. Gambling, or Gaming as it is called, is being promoted as just another entertainment option. And the litany of fuzzy rationalizations goes on and on. But it’s not a free ride. Casinos will bring its baggage that will change forever the environs in which it is situated. Since the Governor’s proposal calls for at least three casinos, established on a regional basis, this means the environs will include the whole state.
Check out the Casino Free Mass website, especially the “talking points” section. Make no mistake about it, this organization is against casinos, but their arguments make interesting reading, even for gambling supporters.
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