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Casino issue back in the spotlight

Gov. Deval Patrick made several stops last week during a two-day visit to Western Massachusetts. On Wednesday evening he attended a rally for Sen. Barack Obama's presidential campaign at American International College. He's seen above with Springfield resident Ruth Loving. Patrick also spoke on the progress of the casino debate. Reminder Publications photo by G. Michael Dobbs
By G. Michael Dobbs

Managing Editor



SPRINGFIELD The casino question was one of the issues raised by the visit of Gov. Deval Patrick to Western Massachusetts last week and Patrick said, "There will be a debate. There will be a hearing."

During a press conference the preceding week, Lt. Gov. Tim Murray said he believes a casino bill would pass in the House, but Patrick wasn't as openly optimistic.

"We have some work to do," Patrick said of the amount of support the casino issue now has in the House. He added there would be some "give and take" on how the revenues would be allocated.

State Rep. Joseph Wagner, chair of the Joint Transportation Committee, told Reminder Publications he believes the House will address the issue sometime in the spring. He agreed with the governor that the issue deserves debate.

Wagner said a casino bill wouldn't pass in the House at this time and to gain his support, he needs to see an in-depth analysis that would show the benefits would outweigh the negative effects on the local economy.

Last week Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno issued a statement that confirmed his continued support of casino gambling in Western Massachusetts.

"While casinos may not be the ultimate answer to our economic issues, they clearly will create new opportunities for construction jobs, permanent employment and much needed revenue that can be used for many purposes, including a possible reduction in property taxes," Sarno said.

Sarno endorsed Palmer as a location for a casino. Residents there have approved the idea and there have been development inquiries made by the owners of the Mohegan Sun casino.

Despite not sharing a common border with Palmer, Sarno believes Springfield should receive some economic benefit from a casino if it is located there.

"We need to be at the table when negotiations start, because wherever the casino may be in Western Massachusetts, Springfield has to be one of the beneficiaries of the Hampden County Host Fee. We need to establish jobs, tourist attractions and vendor agreements in a way that will benefit Springfield and area communities. I will represent our citizens at that negotiating table," Sarno said.

Chicopee has been named as a possible location for a resort casino in a report issued by Professor Clyde Barrows of the University of Massachusetts and Mayor Michael Bissonnette has been a vocal supporter for debating the casino question.

Bissonnette said in a recent interview that any casino plan has to protect state lottery revenues as cities and towns rely on lottery revenue to fund local budgets.

As a supporter of resort casinos, Bissonnette said he would like to know what would be the net job gain if a casino was established locally.

"There are always losers and winners," he said.

He also believes people need to know what would be the loss or gain in state income tax revenues from the shift in jobs a casino would bring.

Every revenue stream associated with casinos needs to be analyzed, he said. The burden to prove casinos would be an economic advantage to the area is on the proponents, he added.

Bissonnette acknowledged other communities will want "a piece of a pie" and he said local vendors must be involved in the development of the casinos.

"While I think it's a win-win, I know others need more information," he said.

Bissonnette has been invited to a meeting at the governor's office on Feb. 6 to discuss the casino issue.