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Tribe has stake in latest casino legislation

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Thursday, 16 June 2011

Tribe has stake in latest casino legislation By George Brennan This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it June 15, 2011 Every time the casino issue heats up on Beacon Hill, the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe is in the thick of it. This year is likely to be no different as the tribe is in talks with George Carney about the possibility of buying Raynham Park, the 108-acre former site of greyhound dog racing. As state leaders reportedly look at July to consider a yet-to-be-determined casino bill, the tribe appears to be solidifying its spot in that debate. In previous years, the tribe already had land deals in place with Fall River or Middleboro for a proposed Indian casino, but this year its land situation, like its federal rights to Indian gaming, is in flux. Meanwhile, after a meeting with legislative leaders Monday, Gov. Deval Patrick said he is closer to hammering out a compromise gambling bill with Senate President Therese Murray and House Speaker Robert DeLeo. "My preference is for three destination resorts because that's where we get the jobs and the revenue," Patrick said, according to State House News Service. "I understand that if we're going to get something we can all live with, I have to show a little flexibility and I've expressed my support for that in the past." Last year, Patrick agreed to three resort casinos and slots at one of the racetracks, which would go out to bid. The governor balked when the Legislature approved a gambling bill that included two slot parlors with no public bidding process. If the Wampanoag were to purchase Raynham, it could ease the key sticking point that led to last summer's casino legislation meltdown. An Indian casino in Raynham would leave only one racetrack in Plainridge in the running for a slot parlor license because the tribe has its sights on a resort-style casino, while Suffolk and Wonderland have teamed up to bid on a casino license. Casino opponents are objecting to the "back-room" discussions between Patrick, Murray and DeLeo. Scott Harshbarger, a former state attorney general and founder of Citizens for a Stronger Massachusetts, said this year's casino debate lacks transparency. In a 19-page report released last week, Harshbarger said a regulatory and enforcement process should be in place and either the state auditor or state treasurer should do an independent study on casino finances before expanded gambling legislation is considered. "The strategy is everybody keep quiet and see if we can get this done before everyone wakes up," Harshbarger said in an interview with the Times on Monday. "Get it passed before anyone can seriously ask about debating it." Laura Schroeder, a spokeswoman for Murray, said last year's casino bill was debated eight days in the Senate chambers and she expects this year's bill will also get plenty of scrutiny. The final bill last year included a regulatory structure and beefed up organized crime laws — safeguards that will be included again this year, she said. This year's proposed bills were also the subject of a public hearing in May, Schroeder said. "They're working hard to make sure everything is publicly debated this year, just as it was last year," she said. DeLeo's office did not return an e-mail seeking comment Tuesday. Patrick's office pointed out that more than a half-dozen casino studies have been done, including one by Spectrum Gaming funded by the state in 2008. State Rep. Randy Hunt, R-Sandwich, whose district includes Mashpee, said he's not sure what's happening behind closed doors at the Statehouse, but when the debate reaches the House floor he believes the free market system should dictate where casinos are located, not the Legislature. "One of the things I'm going to be looking for is that there is a clear ability for the towns where casinos might be placed to have a say in whether they want them or not," Hunt said. State Sen. Daniel Wolf, D-Harwich, said he hasn't heard any details about this year's expanded gambling proposals, but even if he did, it's not likely to change his position. "I don't think it's a smart way to raise revenue," he said. "There are social and economic costs to it." While Harshbarger is trying to rally opposition to expanded gambling by pointing out that other states, including New Jersey and Nevada, are no better off financially than Massachusetts, once vocal critics of casinos have been quieter this year. "It is a very difficult fight. It's exhausting," said Mary Tufts of Bridgewater, who launched her anti-casino "Gladys Kravitz" blog when the Wampanoag tribe's initial investors purchased 539 acres in neighboring Middleboro. Tufts attributes her lack of recent posts to writing a book, but acknowledges it's difficult to keep fighting Beacon Hill. "It's exhausting," she said. "It was more than a full-time job for me. It was every second of every day. It was emotional turmoil all the time." http://www.capecodonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20110615/NEWS/106150320

 

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