Why won't Governor Deval Patrick and the Massachusetts Legislature come together to craft a Casino Bill that would get an up or down vote and stop this baiting of communities?
What's the gamble? While Evergreen Solar goes into bankruptcy costing the state tens of millions of dollars, we have established casino operators willing to put tens of millions of their money into building a new industry in Massachusetts. Think about that for a moment. The casino owners will spend tens of millions of dollars on construction and then gaming, in a state where jobs have not returned, our population is leaving (see 10 Congressmen) and our college graduates can't find suitable jobs based on their studies.
I don't care if you gamble or not, casinos WILL create jobs! Casinos will grow the tax base of the communities in which they are placed and the state itself. So where's the gamble?
The Governor backed Evergreen Solar as a company of the future because of it was/is in the Green Technology field. Most casinos will do what it can to make a buck including using every type of green technology to reduce its operating costs. Sounds like a company that is sort of in the green technology field. I can tell you this, everyone knew the risk with Evergreen Solar because solar power is not affordable to individuals and corporations with Government grants, and even then it's still risky. So where's the gamble.
Whether you are a supporter or opponent of Casinos, you should be irate over how the Legislature and the Governor have failed to do their jobs and get this issue on center stage so it can be debated, vetted, and voted upon. Win or lose, we the taxpayer deserve a Legislature and Governor that will overturn every rock to explore new employers who will employ us and create a ripple effect of jobs and prosperity in our communities.
So where's the gamble? I think the gamble lies with our elected officials who have taken money from lobbyists to shut this issue down, otherwise there would have been a Casino Bill voted on three years ago!
I know casinos don't work. The new construction at places like Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun casinos is all a sham. I know that the people they employ aren't real. I know that the southeastern Connecticut area would have survived even with all those layoffs from Electric Boat. They just don't work. This must be the viewpoint of every Legislator and the Governor who won't put this up for a vote.
Folks, it's time to call your State Rep, State Senator and the Governor, to demand that they act upon a casino bill and vote it before the Legislative session ends. It is far too important to let it slip away again just like the lobbyists want it to.
A job is a job, especially to someone who can't find one. Tell our elected officials to stop gambling with our economic survival and do what they are elected to do!
