Gov. Paul LePage deserves the applause of all Mainers for stating recently that he would veto any bill that would skirt the voting process for new racinos or casinos in Maine.
His resolve to veto LD 1203 and LD 985, which would allow a racino in Biddeford and Washington County; and a slot casino in Lewiston, respectively, is good news for residents who would like to have a say in deciding whether Maine takes on a significant increase in its number of gambling facilities.
Both of the bills, which are citizen-initiated, recently received approval in the legislature, with a 94-49 vote of support in the house for LD 1203 and a 78-61 endorsement in the house on LD 985, setting them up for possible approval without another statewide vote.
Whether one agrees with gambling or not, we agree with LePage that letting the voters decide is the right thing to do rather than giving the house and senate final say on whether or not Maine becomes a state with five gambling centers or remains at the current two – Hollywood Slots in Bangor and the newly-approved Black Bear Entertainment casino under construction in Oxford.
His openness about vetoing these bills should be particularly heartening to residents of Biddeford and nearby towns who feel that Ocean Properties, the company proposing a racino in Biddeford, has an unfair advantage in influencing legislators because of its wealth and organization. The developers have several lobbyists in Augusta pushing for their proposal to be approved without what they know will be a costly and time consuming public vote.
We can certainly see their side as they tout the construction jobs and later service jobs that will come with Scarborough Downs’ move and expansion in Biddeford. Ocean Properties argues that voters already approved two harness racing/slot machine “racinos” in the state, allowing for one in Biddeford and in Washington County. Hollywood Slots in Bangor doesn’t count, they say, because it has it is not a “fully integrated” racino – horse racing is on one side of the road, while the slots are on the other.
This seems to be a stretch of wording and a twist of logic, without acknowledging the underlying purpose of the 2003 vote. As well, it’s been eight years since that vote and many things have changed. Voters deserve a chance to cast their ballots this year, “yay” or “nay,” for the racino proposals currently before them, in Biddeford and Washington County and for the proposed casino in Lewiston.
These projects should not be given a thumbs up or down by the legislature alone, since casinos and racinos are unique types of development that have varied impacts on the regions in which they are built.
Though Biddeford voters approved the racino last fall, the surrounding towns of Arundel, Kennebunk, Old Orchard Beach, Saco and others never got a say, despite the fact the Biddeford Downs development will significantly impact the traffic and character of the entire area.
This voting process will give them that chance.
And, as LePage said himself, the legislature has more important work to do. Let’s leave this one to the voters.
His resolve to veto LD 1203 and LD 985, which would allow a racino in Biddeford and Washington County; and a slot casino in Lewiston, respectively, is good news for residents who would like to have a say in deciding whether Maine takes on a significant increase in its number of gambling facilities.
Both of the bills, which are citizen-initiated, recently received approval in the legislature, with a 94-49 vote of support in the house for LD 1203 and a 78-61 endorsement in the house on LD 985, setting them up for possible approval without another statewide vote.
Whether one agrees with gambling or not, we agree with LePage that letting the voters decide is the right thing to do rather than giving the house and senate final say on whether or not Maine becomes a state with five gambling centers or remains at the current two – Hollywood Slots in Bangor and the newly-approved Black Bear Entertainment casino under construction in Oxford.
His openness about vetoing these bills should be particularly heartening to residents of Biddeford and nearby towns who feel that Ocean Properties, the company proposing a racino in Biddeford, has an unfair advantage in influencing legislators because of its wealth and organization. The developers have several lobbyists in Augusta pushing for their proposal to be approved without what they know will be a costly and time consuming public vote.
This seems to be a stretch of wording and a twist of logic, without acknowledging the underlying purpose of the 2003 vote. As well, it’s been eight years since that vote and many things have changed. Voters deserve a chance to cast their ballots this year, “yay” or “nay,” for the racino proposals currently before them, in Biddeford and Washington County and for the proposed casino in Lewiston.
These projects should not be given a thumbs up or down by the legislature alone, since casinos and racinos are unique types of development that have varied impacts on the regions in which they are built.
Though Biddeford voters approved the racino last fall, the surrounding towns of Arundel, Kennebunk, Old Orchard Beach, Saco and others never got a say, despite the fact the Biddeford Downs development will significantly impact the traffic and character of the entire area.
This voting process will give them that chance.
And, as LePage said himself, the legislature has more important work to do. Let’s leave this one to the voters.
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