Cpb-us-e1.wpmucdn.com
February 13, 2018GVT-747: Legislation and LobbyingAssignment Two: Assessing the Political Landscape*******************************************************************************************Executive Summary (“The Lay of the Land”):H2072 is a bill that introduces expanded gambling in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, allowing three casino licenses, limited to one license per geographically defined area, and one slot parlor license not defined to any geographic area. The bill also sets up regulatory bodies to monitor casinos and enforce gambling laws in the Commonwealth. Potential supporters of the bill include Governor Deval Patrick and various other lawmakers that represent regions that would benefit from economic activity produced by a resort casino, and other parties or groups that would benefit economically from casinos, such as casino companies, carpenters and the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe. Potential opponents of the bill are lawmakers in areas that would be harmed by the expansion of gambling, and other groups that morally oppose gambling, such as the Archdiocese of Boston.It seems that the opponents of the bill seem to be more heavily invested in its defeat and public opinion seems to slightly lean out of favor of the bill, signaling that the bill may be defeated as prior bills that supported expanded gambling in Massachusetts. However, the opponents of the bill have more legislative and financial power than the groups that oppose the bill. Potential Supporters/Allies: Organization: Governor Deval Patrick (Office of the Governor) Governor Patrick first attempted to pass a bill promoting expanded gambling in the Commonwealth in 2007, which failed. Governor Patrick’s main claims in support of the expanded gambling bill include job creation, increased economic activity and increased tax revenue. The expanded gaming bill would be a method to increase tax revenue in a way that didn’t increase an individual taxpayers burden, instead acting as a “sin tax.” Contact: Massachusetts State House, #208 Boston, MA 02133 (617) 725-4005Organization: Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe supports expanded gaming in the Commonwealth due to Native American ties to gaming and casino ownership along with certain benefits from sovereignty granted to Native American tribes. Passage of a law allowing casinos and expanded gaming in the Commonwealth provides economic benefits for tribe members as well as providing employment opportunities for tribe members as well. The tribe would be given preferential treatment for one of the casino licenses allotted by the bill, furthering their support of the bill. Contact:483 Great Neck Road South Mashpee, MA 02649 (508) 477-0208Organization: New England Regional Council of Carpenters The New England Regional Council of Carpenters supports the passage of an expanded gaming law in the Commonwealth due to the three large construction projects it would provide. Three resort casinos would increase revenue, support employment opportunities and create development and contact opportunities for the groups that the Council represents.Contact: 750 Dorchester Ave Boston, MA 02125(800) 275-6200Possible Opponents: (Provide a brief description and contact information for each.)Organization: Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston The Archdiocese of Boston publically stated in a letter to Governor Patrick that the expanded gambling in the Commonwealth was unnecessary, as the financial crisis was stabilizing and Massachusetts was recovering at a faster rate than most other states. The Archdiocese also expressed the financial and social strain on the Commonwealth that comes with gambling, including “addiction” and “increased poverty.” Contact:James F. Driscoll, Esq.66 Brooks Drive Braintree, MA 02184Organization: Massachusetts Chapter of the National Association of Social WorkersRebekah Gerwitz testified on behalf of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), Massachusetts Chapter in opposition of expanded gambling in the Commonwealth on June 8, 2010. Gerwitz warned of the dangers of introducing what she refers to as “predatory industries” into the state, and explaining the negative impact it has on the surrounding community from both a social and economic perspective. Gerwitz recognizes the intent of the bill is to promote tax revenue, economic activity and job creation, but states that the negative impacts will outweigh any positive impacts the law would produce.Contact:14 Beacon St, #409 Boston, MA 02108 (617) 227-9635Organization: United to Stop Slots Massachusetts United to Stop Slots in Massachusetts is a non-partisan organization that aims to prevent expanded gambling in the Commonwealth by organizing citizens and empowering them to contact their representatives and legislators and spread awareness about the dangers of expanded gambling. The group believes that expanded gambling leads to social and economic problems that far outweigh any revenue and job creation that casino resorts would bring to the Commonwealth. Contact:PO Box 1305 West Concord, MA 01742 ................
................
In order to avoid copyright disputes, this page is only a partial summary.
To fulfill the demand for quickly locating and searching documents.
It is intelligent file search solution for home and business.