At a heavily attended press conference, Speaker Robert DeLeo detailed his plan to increase crime in Massachusetts.
In addition to authorizing two resort casinos and up to 750 slot machines at the state's four race tracks, DeLeo's plan proposes dramatic increases in both money laundering and enterprise crime.
The plan also requires taxpayers to fund two new crime fighting agencies - a new Division of Gaming Enforcement in the attorney general's office, and a gaming enforcement unit within the State Police.
In anticipation of gross negative impacts to host communities, DeLeo's plan authorizes a special Community Mitigation Fund, which would be funded by a one-time payment of $15 million from licensing fees, and 2 percent of the tax on gross gaming revenue. At least until the State needs more money, or the first dip in gambling revenues. Or both.
The plan also provides for a series of other special funds to pay for gambling addiction management services, capital projects, manufacturing, community colleges, tourism, economic stabilization, education, the arts, open space, animal husbandry, charity bingo, mosquito spraying, greyhound adoption, toys for tots, urban renewal, cold fusion, necromancy, economic stimulus, elective plastic surgery, clam bakes for shut-ins, medical experiments and various regional tractor pulls, with room to include any other special interests that would help the speaker attain the votes he needs.
These special funds would also be financed by a portion of one-time licensing fees and a minuscule, unspecified percentage of future gambling revenues. The Speaker anticipates that these accounts will be fully funded until the State needs more money.
Immediately following the press conference, House Minority Leader Brad Jones called it a "good starting point." He said in a statement, "Because, not only does Beacon Hill have some of the best minds you could find anywhere, but I'm also confident that we can work together in a bipartisan manner to make Massachusetts the first place in America, or the world for that matter, to actually do gambling legislation 'right'."
"It doesn't sound like enough slots, from what I heard," stated Sen. Michael Morrissey, "From everything I've heard, the more slots - the more money we legislators get to spend, so why not go for it." When Morrissey was asked how many slots he'd like to see, he suggested, "somewhere in the neighborhood of twenty to thirty million. Yeah. That'd be good. No. Forty Million. No wait. Fifty. Fifty... Fifty-Five million slot machines."
Plainridge Racecourse chief operating office Gary Piontkowski told the News Service he believed 2010 was finally the year he'd realize his long-held dream of lowering the State's expectations to his own. Asked if 750 slot machines were sufficient since previous proposals had recommended 2,000 per track. Piotkowski said, "I always thought a good number was around 1,500. But It is what is is. No complaints here. As long as the industry gets a toehold, we'll see those numbers go up soon enough."
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4 comments:
Bravo, Gladys!
Those lavish funds I believe were also supposed to include the billions in infrastructure repairs that have been postponed, beginning with the major modifications required in the Speaker's district.
It's dazzling how much can be accomplished!
No public hearing? What are they afraid of?
They're afraid of the truth.
The truth is, there won't be 15,000 jobs, and that the jobs that do come won't pay living wages.
They're afraid people will hear about how the gambling industry uses technology which causes a virulent addiction in a percentage of it's patrons - the same percentage the industry, and in turn the State, depends on for 90% of it's revenue.
They're afraid people will hear the testimony of community leaders from gambling communities across the country which will paint a very different picture from the fairytale they've previously been sold.
They're afraid people will hear about how gambling negatively effects those who don't even gamble - like children.
They're afraid people will learn about the hit the lottery would take and how that's money that goes straight to cities and towns.
They're afraid that people will learn how legislators and the gambling industry break the promises they make.
In other words, they're afraid the truth would set us free(from them.)
DeLeo and his "pinky ring" pals from the north shore are a bunch of self serving wise-guy posers.
It will be interesting to see how many of the State House lemmings will follow his lead. Nov. can't come quick enough.
Great blog as always Gladys.
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