Casinos in Massachusetts are this close to becoming a reality. Now it's just a question of dotting the i's and crossing the t's. An article in today's Boston Globe reports on the Legislature's progress toward passing a bill that would result in three casinos and one slot parlor to be built at locations throughout the commonwealth.
I have long been a proponent of gambling in Massachusetts. I believe the benefits and revenues that will come into the economy outweigh the risks and concerns opponents of the idea have when it comes to preying on the less affluent and other impending social concerns others have. What I don't like is the restrictions and conditions that have been watered down by lawmakers that deal with the time current members of Beacon Hill would have to wait between leaving their office and going to work for the industry. The original wait time of five years hase been slashed to one year. Another provision in the bill takes casino revenue from local aid and gives it to the horse racing industry for the purpose of increasing payouts on gambler's winnings.
Governor Deval Patrick has given every indication of signing the bill if/when it is passed by the State House, saying in the aforementioned article article, "there are no 'showstoppers' that would prevent him from signing the bill". Patrick did say, however, that he was "surprised and worried" by the changes in the bill that would divert money from the local aid to the racetracks.
Stop right there, Mister Patrick and lawmakers.
Leave it to a group of politicians to take a potentially good idea for all and see if they can use it for their personal gain. That's what cutting the waiting period from five years to one will do. It will only add to the distrust the public has when it comes to lawmakers. Of course, Patrick will be delivered a political "hot potato" if the bill is presented to his desk with all of the provisions mentioned included. His veto gives opponents the opportunity to call him a hypocrite and accuse him of abandoning an issue he has long supported.
Do not allow yourself to be fooled by those accusations. Patrick will not be a hypocrite and he will not be abandoning a cause. He will be refusing to allow an economic stimulant to be used by state representatives and senators for their personal gain. Lawmakers should work and stand together to allow the five-year ban to stand and allow cities and towns to keep their money. If not, the Governor should use his veto power until the proper clauses are restored. If not, everyone on Beacon Hill has given their contituents another reason to be wary and distrustful.
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