Editorial: A shotgun wedding on tribal casinos in Massachusetts

Monday, May 28, 2012  

"Maybe Massachusetts legislators’ minds had wandered to Vegas when they came up with the shotgun wedding approach for the first round of casino licensing in southeastern Massachusetts. The result — as we’re seeing in Freetown, Lakeville and Taunton — may not exactly create a match made in heaven.

When the Massachusetts Legislature approved the casino gambling legislation signed by Gov. Deval Patrick last November, it authorized Native American tribes to get the first shot at a casino license in southeastern Massachusetts. But they had to act fast to negotiate a casino compact with the governor.

The gaming legislation set up several deadlines and stipulations in the confusing arrangement that has made it almost impossible for the tribes to fully explain their proposals to the public, give municipalities an opportunity to negotiate and ratify a sound Intergovernmental Agreement, and hold a referendum."

Get the Story:
Editorial: Tight casino deadlines lead to a shotgun wedding (The Taunton Daily Gazette 5/27)

More Opinions:
Nick Velozo: Keep an open mind on Aquinnah casino (The Fall River Herald News 5/26)
Carl Peirce: Given lack of casino information, 'no' is only sensible vote (The Fall River Herald News 5/26)
Lynne Bartsch: Too many questions in Aquinnah deal (The Fall River Herald News 5/27)

Also Today:
Freetown voters head to polls over casino (The Cape Cod Times 5/28)
Casino votes coming up in Taunton, Freetown, Lakeville (The New Bedford Standard-Times 5/27)