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Senate casino gambling debate continues |
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Written by Administrator
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Thursday, 01 July 2010 |
Senate casino gambling debate continues
By George Brennan
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July 01, 2010
The state Senate this afternoon approved an amendment that boosts the Mashpee Wampanoag's chances of bringing an Indian casino to Fall River .
In a 27-11 roll call vote, the Senate lifted a restriction on 300 acres set aside for a biotechnology park to be used as a casino by the Cape tribe.
Eight years ago, when the land was removed from the Fall River-Freetown state forest and set aside for economic development, it was done with the proviso that it not be used for either a casino or a landfill.
But Sen. Joan Menard, D-Fall River, who sponsored the amendment, argued that her city supports the land, already designated for economic development, be used by the tribe for a casino.
“This is something that the people in my district need and want,” Menard said. “This allows my constituents of Fall River , where unemployment is at 18 percent… it allows them to decide what they want to do with the land.”
In a statement this afternoon, tribal council Chairman Cedric Cromwell applauded the vote. "This is an important step forward for the tribe, the city of Fall River and the Commonwealth," he said.
Environmental groups had argued that allowing the restriction to be lifted, rather than taking it to vote of a two-thirds majority of the Legislature, would set a “horrendous precedent” and violate the state's constitution, said Sen. Mark Montigny, D-New Bedford.
Montigny said the amendment did not belong as part of the casino debate and should be filed as a separate bill that would go through the public hearing process.
Ultimately, today's hour-long debate came down to a dispute between two struggling cities in Southeastern Massachusetts, both seeking one of three proposed casinos to create jobs and economic growth in their cities as Menard, the sponsor of the amendment, and Montigny squared off on the Senate floor for the second day in a row.
Montigny strongly disputed that he was seeking any advantage for New Bedford . “All I've ever asked for is a fair and open process,” he said.
The Senate could approve three casinos as early as tonight after more than a week of debate. In April, the House approved a plan for two resort casinos and as many as 750 slots at each of the state's four race tracks.
Legalizing casino gambling in the state would give federally-recognized tribes like the Wampanoag the opportunity under federal law to build a casino on tribe land.
If the Senate approves its bill, a conference committee would have to hammer out an agreement by the end of the month before sending the compromise to Gov. Deval Patrick.
http://www.capecodonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100701/NEWS11/100709958/-1/rss01
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