Be Informed: Massachusetts Ballot Question #1: Additional Slots License?

This November 8th, we will not only head to the polls to pick our nation’s next president and vice-president, but we’ll also determine what happens with a few local issues – in this year’s case, four of them. While 35 initiatives were targeted, only these four made it to the ballot – there’s always 2018.

Since 1996, Massachusetts has been voting on ballot measures each even number year – 32 in all. The state leans towards approval when it comes to these measures, 53% of the measures have been approved compared to 47% of them being struck down.

We’ve all heard the maxim “Be informed.” when it comes to voting and what we’ll attempt to do here is look at the four questions in an objective, factual way and share the general consensus and thought on both sides of the question.

Growing up, when I would watch the news, the reporter would do exactly that: report. Rarely could one tell which side of the issue that reporter or journalist was on. He would state the factual part of the story, then share what the proponents and opponents or detractors were saying. You were trusted to be intelligent enough to then make a decision.

These days, reporters have been replaced by commentators or in some cases, glorified bloggers. They make their stance on the issue clear, and spend most of their time attacking the opponents of their stance. It is an opinion piece, not the genuine article – pardon the pun. This has been the dearth of good, balanced journalism. I am a firm believer in presenting both sides and letting people decide and I also believe we can do just that in a succinct and easy to understand manner.

Question #1: Additional Slots License?

Currently only one slots parlor and three resort casinos are allowed. The measure would restrict the license to a facility of a specific, modest size that has horse racing. If it passes an interested party would still need to obtain a license from the Massachusetts Gaming Commission. The current interested party is developer Eugene McCain and the proposed site for the slots parlor a property near Suffolk Downs.

Oppose: There are already too many gambling venues within the states and it is expanding too quickly. Gambling brings with it a certain criminal element, feeds those with a gambling addiction as well as trigger new people to the addiction. People will not leave the casinos to spend their money on local businesses and with the increases in monies will come political corruption. More crime, more social issues, bad for the economy.

Propose: Gambling venues are a boost to the local economy. They generate tax revenues for the local and state governments, employ people in the construction phase, a mixture of local and distance workers who will spend their money on local businesses, as well as do the same once the structure is erected and functioning. In addition, it will boost the tourist economy by drawing people from other parts of the state and out-of-staters who will spend money on local businesses.