Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Gov. Deval Patrick signed casino legislation Tuesday that could authorize up to three resort-style casinos in the Bay State. Host communities will get a referendum vote before a casino can be located; surrounding communities get a public hearing.
The casino bill is now approved. Gov. Deval Patrick signed the legislation Tuesday, in a ceremony in Boston. The bill would allow up to three resort-style casinos in Massachusetts, in different geographic areas. A five-member gaming commission appointed by state leaders will consider license applications for particular sites, under the legislation. Could Milford be a potential location? Developer David Nunes has expressed interest in getting approval for a resort casino on land near Interstate 495 and Route 16, and will have to follow procedures adopted by state officials in the bill. A referendum vote in the host community also will be required before any casino is approved, under the legislation. For surrounding communities, a public …
Thursday, November 17, 2011
The revised casino bill sent to Gov. Deval Patrick for his signature Wednesday afternoon would send about $15 million less to local communities, diverting the money instead to the state's horse racing industry.
After numerous last-minute changes, a bill that would allow up to three resort-style casinos in Massachusetts was approved Wednesday afternoon and sent to Gov. Deval Patrick for his signature. The bill includes some changes from previous versions approved separately by the state House of Representatives and state Senate. In the final bill, lawmakers agreed to divert funds from casino profits to the state's horse racing industry, according to the Boston Globe. The amount is estimated at $15 million, and otherwise would have gone to local aid provided to communities. Milford could potentially be a host site. A developer, David Nunes, has said he plans to file an application for a casino license on property to the east of Interstate 495, near…
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
State lawmakers are expected to cast a final vote Wednesday on a casino bill, which could clear the way for a casino application affecting Milford and surrounding towns.
The state Legislature is expected to give a final approval Wednesday to a casino bill, before sending it to Gov. Deval Patrick for his signature. The bill produced by a conference committee received preliminary approval late Tuesday in both the state Senate and House of Representatives. If authorized by Patrick, it will allow up to three resort style casinos in Massachusetts, and one slots parlor, including one for the region between Worcester and Boston. A developer, David Nunes, has already stated he plans to apply for a license for a casino in Milford, on acreage to the east of Interstate 495, near Route 16. The casino bill is touted by supporters as a job creation bill. Detractors say it will harm property values, and possibly attract …
Friday, October 21, 2011
Milford is among dozens of suburban school systems in Massachusetts that could qualify for additional funds, through casino revenues, under a Senate amendment. The bill is being discussed in a conference committee.
Milford schools could potentially qualify for as much as $1.8 million in restored state aid, under an amendment to the casino bill approved by the state Senate last week. The amendment allows local schools that have seen their state aid cut in recent years to benefit from casino revenues sent to the state. Because the House version of the casino bill did not include this language, a conference committee will have to approve it. The state Senate and House have approved slightly different versions of legislation that would authorize up to three casinos in Massachusetts. Milford could potentially be one of the locations to receive a license. A developer, David Nunes, has been trying to gain state approval for a casino off Interstate 495 near …
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Debate began in Boston Monday on a casino bill which could affect Milford, as a developer plans to apply for a license to open a Vegas-style, high-end casino off I-495 if the bill passes.
Friday, September 23, 2011
The president of the Massachusetts Senate, expected to discuss and vote on the proposed casino bill next week, predicts approval. The current bill requires a town-wide vote for smaller communities, such as Milford, that might be host sites.
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
A petition organized by a would-be developer of a casino in Milford, which would have placed the question of a casino on a ballot next year, has been rejected as unconstitutional by state Attorney General Martha Coakley.
State Attorney General Martha Coakley has rejected the wording of a petition question that could have placed the issue of a Milford casino before voters next year. The petition, circulated by prospective casino developer David Nunes, was presented last month to the state Attorney General's Office for a review of the constitutionality of its scope. On Wednesday, Coakley announced through a press release that the language of the initiative petition had failed to meet initial certification requirements, because it was unreasonably restrictive in location. The wording of the petition specified Milford as one of three potential locations for a casino. According to a press release from Coakley's office, initiative petitions cannot propose "laws …
Friday, September 2, 2011
State political leaders have reached an agreement on casino legislation, which is expected to go before the full legislature soon. Some neighbors, in Hopkinton, are opposed.
Editor's Note: The following story appeared first on Hopkinton Patch. Hopkinton selectmen have held the first of several planned public hearings on the proposed casino gambling bill. According to reports in The Boston Globe, the governor and leaders of the state House and Senate have agreed to terms of a gaming bill that would authorize up to three Vegas-style casinos in Massachusetts, including one for the region that includes Worcester east to Boston. A developer hopes to submit a proposal for a Milford casino off Interstate 495, to be accessed by a new exit, if the legislation is approved. The crowd was small, but the opinions from those who attended were large. The 15 or so in attendance as well as all five selectmen are firmly …
Thursday, August 25, 2011
State political leaders have agreed to a bill that would allow Vegas-style casino gambling in Massachusetts, and developers are eager to submit proposals. The legislature is expected to consider the bill soon.
don mcelman
9:13 am on Friday, November 18, 2011
Is this for real, that $15 million will be diverted from the casino profits to another part of the gaming industry at the expense of cities & towns? Shoring up failing horse racing gamblers is like trying to save a boat anchor with a life preserver. Or is this charade more of the Bacon Hill Boys enhancing their own financial positions at the expense of local aid? Haven't we had enough of this … more ›