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Saturday, April 12, 2003
Legislators hear casino pros, cons
Copyright © 2003 Blethen Maine Newspapers Inc. | ||||||||||||||
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Also on this page: IN DEPTH: CASINOS IN MAINE | |||||||||||||
AUGUSTA — The people for and against legalizing casino gambling in Maine used a legislative hearing to lob verbal volleys at each other Friday, even as both sides urged lawmakers to let voters decide the issue in Novem- ber. The Legislature will decide in the next several weeks whether to legalize casinos or forward the proposal to a statewide referendum. Friday's hearing at the Augusta Civic Center was held before the Judiciary Committee and the Legal & Veterans Affairs Committee. Although each side says it wants the issue to be settled by voters, they couldn't be further apart on whether Maine should allow two American Indian tribes to build what would be the state's first casino resort. The side favoring casinos said it is confident voters would approve the idea. "I think Maine people will say, 'We want jobs,' " said Donna Loring, the Penobscot Nation's representative in the Maine House. But opponents of casinos sound just as hopeful. Maine Public Safety Commissioner Michael Cantara, who believes a casino offers false promises, said, "We are confident in the sound judgment of Maine voters who, after careful study, will reject this proposal." The Passamaquoddy Tribe and Penobscot Nation want to build a $650 million casino resort in Sanford, but first they need state permission to operate slot machines and casino-style games like poker, roulette and blackjack. Under the proposed gaming act, the state would get 25 percent of the revenue. The tribes estimate the state's slot revenue would reach $119 million per year. Thirteen York County communities have voted against playing host to a casino and some, such as Kittery, have changed their zoning laws to make casino gambling illegal. Sanford residents have voted in favor of being home to a casino, leaving surrounding towns concerned about spillover effects such as traffic. State Rep. Mary Andrews, R-York, said she feared gambling proponents "will spend whatever it takes" to bring a casino to Maine. Erin Lehane, the Portland lawyer managing the pro-casino campaign, said, "We don't have money in the bank, but we will spend whatever it takes to educate the voters of Maine." Tom Cashin of Acton told legislators they need to research the real financial implications of a casino. "The truth is, this will be a big tax break for the tribes," he said. Fred Moore of Pleasant Point, who is a representative of the Passamaquoddy Tribe, said he's simply looking to improve the economic situation of his people. "Changing the names of ponds and lakes won't feed them," he said, referring to previous legislation that outlawed the use of names considered offensive. Since Gov. John Baldacci has said he would veto legislation allowing a casino, those who want a casino feel they can fare better with the voters. The Judiciary Committee will meet again at 1 p.m. April 30 before recommending whether the Legislature should approve a casino. Even if lawmakers vote against a casino, the question automatically goes to voters in the fall. The Legal & Veterans Affairs Committee, meanwhile, meets at 11 a.m. Thursday to take up several casino-related bills. The gambling-related bills would help compensate towns next to a casino for traffic and other impacts, and would allow others to operate casinos, not just the tribes.
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