Apr. 15, 2010: Special Presentation: The Last Resort

>> GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME
TO THE LAST RESORT, A
GREATER BOSTON SPECIAL ON
EXPANDED GAMBLING IN
MASSACHUSETTS.
THE FIRST GIANT STEP TOOK
PLACE LAST NIGHT WHEN THE
HOUSE VOTED 120 TO 37 TO
SUPPORT TWO RESORT STYLE
CASINOS AND FOUR RACINOS OR
SLOT MACHINES AT RACE
TRACKS.
AND THERE-IN LIES THE
STICKING POINT, HOUSE
SPEAKER ROBERT DeLEO IS A
BIG PROPONENT OF RACINOS,
SITING NOSTALGIA AND THE
JOBS THEY WILL SAVE AND
CREATE.
BUT GOVERNOR PATRICK AND
OTHERS SAYS THAT'S NOT THE
TYPE OF GAMBLING WE WANT
HERE IN THE STATE.
FOR ONE THING, A LITTLE SLOT
PARLOR CAN BECOME A BIG
GAMBLING DESTINATION WHEN NO
ONE'S LOOKINGMENT JUST ASK
THE PEOPLE NEAR RHODE
ISLAND'S TWIN RIVER CASINO.
>> TO ANTHONY-- THE
EVER-INCREASING TRAFFIC
ROARING PAST HIS LINCOLN
RHODE ISLAND HOME IS A GOOD
METAPHOR FOR THE EVER
EXPANDING RACINO DOWN THE
ROAD.
>> WE FEEL LIKE WE'VE BEEN
RUN OVER AND BEING TOLD IT'S
GOOD FOR US AT THE SAME
TIME.
>> WHEN THE FORMER LINCOLN
PARK DOG TRACK ADDED LOT
MACHINES AND EXPANDED, THE
TRASH AND TRAFFIC INCREASED.
SO BAGLYNNI AND HIS
NEIGHBORS ORGANIZED.
>> IT COT PEOPLE AWAY ARE,
IT GOT PEOPLE INVOLVED.
>> Rooney: BUT IT GOT THEM
NOWHERE.
TWIN RIVER CASINO IS NOW ONE
OF THE COUNTRY'S LARGEST
SLOT PARLORS WITH 4700 VIDEO
SLOT MACHINES.
ROUND-THE-CLOCK GAMBLING AND
ALMOST HALF A BILLION
DOLLARS IN ANNUAL REVENUE.
>> EVERYTHING WEPT AHEAD,
INCRETAL-- INCREMENTAL,
LITTLE BY LITTLE UNTIL ONE
DAY WE FOUND OURSELVES WITH
A FULL-FLEDGED CASSINO.
AND EVERYONE WAS ASKING EACH
OTHER HOW DID THIS HAPPEN.
>> Rooney: PEOPLE IN LINCOLN
SAY FOUR MASSACHUSETTS
COMMUNITIES, EAST BOSTON,
REVERE, PLAINVILLE AND
RAYNHAM COULD END UP ASKING
THE SAME QUESTION IF
LAWMAKERS ON BEACON HILL
VOTE FOR SLOT MACHINES IN
RACE TRACKS.
TOWN COUNCIL PRESIDENT
RONALD McKENNA SAYS LINCOLN
RESIDENTS HAVE MIXED
FEELINGS AT BEST ABOUT TWIN
RIVER.
>> THE REVENUE FROM THAT HAS
BEEN INSTRUMENTAL TO HELP,
YOU KNOW, FOR THE TOWN.
I CAN'T DENY THAT.
IT'S JUST THAT IT'S THE
EXPAND OF THE GAMBLING THAT
HAS ADVERSELY AFFECTED OUR
WAY OF LIFE HERE.
>> WHILE TWIN RIVER HAS
STRETCHED LINCOLN'S POLICE,
FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICES, IT
ALSO SUPPORTS LOCAL
CHARITIES.
AND GIVES $5 MILLION A YEAR
TO THE TOWN.
STILL, McKENNA'S WARNING FOR
MASSACHUSETTS, GAMBLING
MONEY IS A SUCKER BET.
>> PEOPLE COME IN WITH
POCKETS FULL OF CASH HOPING
TO WIN.
WHEN YOU GAMBLE, YOU ARE NOT
WING.
THE MONEY STAYS MOSTLY WITH
THE HOUSE.
>> BUT NOT THIS HOUSE.
THIS ONE.
THE RHODE ISLAND STATE
GOVERNMENT GETS 61% OF TWIN
RIVER'S GAMBLING REVENUES.
A FAR BIGGER CUT THAN MOST
OTHER CASINO STATES.
GENERAL TREASURER SAYS THE
STATE'S TAKE HAS GROWN FROM
A FEW MILLION DOLLARS TO
$275 MILLION THIS YEAR.
>> WE HAVE ABOUT 10% OF OUR
STATE BUDGET, STATE REVENUE
COMING FROM VIDEO LOTTERY
MACHINES IN THAT FACILITY.
SO WE'RE WATCHING VERY
CLOSELY WHAT MASSACHUSETTS
IS DOING.
>> LINCOLN VOTERS OPPOSED
24/7 GAMBLING IN A 2007
REFERENDUM BUT STATE
LAWMAKERS OKAYED IT LESS
THAN A YEAR LATER.
>> THE COMPETITORS IN
CONNECTICUT HAVE 24 HOUR
GAMING.
SO WE'RE TALKING ABOUT
OFFERING A PRODUCT AT THE
MARKET HASN'T-- HAS
ACCEPTED.
>> THEY ALSO HAVE HOTELS
WHICH TWIN RIVER DOESN'T.
LINCOLN ZONING LAWS PROHIBIT
THEM BUT WITH A PROPOSED
MASSACHUSETTS CASINO SITE
JUST 37 MILES AWAY, ANTHONY
BAGLINI FEARS THE STATE'S
DESIRES WILL TRUMP LOCAL
WISHES YET AGAIN.
>> WE FIND OUT ABOUT IT BY
READING IT IN THE PAPER.
WE HAVE NO INPUT.
SO YEAH, WE FEEL LEFT OUT.
AND THIS IS WHAT WE'RE LEFT
WITH.
>> A GROWING NEIGHBOR THAT
ISN'T GOING AWAY.
>> FOR THE LAST COUPLE OF
WEEKS WE'VE BEEN RUNNING AN
UNSCIENTIFIC POLL ON THE
GAMBLING DEBATE.
AT WGBH.ORG/LASTRESORT.
68% OF YOU SAID YOU OPPOSE
CASINO GAMBLING IN
MASSACHUSETTS.
27% SAY YOU FAVOR IT AND 5%
AREN'T SURE.
WE ALSOED ASKED FOR YOUR
COMMENTS AND NEGATIVE
RESPONSES OUTNUMBERED
POSITIVES BY 4-1.
GENERAL SAID I WOULD RATHER
DRIVE TWO HOURS TO FOOXWOOD
THAN LIVE RIGHT NEXT DOOR TO
IT.
ARTHUR ADDED, PROFITING FROM
THE MISSERY OF ANOTHER
PERSON IS UNETHICAL.
AND BARBARA SAID GAMBLING IS
FOOLISH.
THE HOUSE ALWAYS WINS.
BUT THERE WERE SUPPORTS LIKE
FRANK WHO SAID I WOULD
RATHER THE REVENUE GO TO THE
STATE I LIVE IN THAN ANOTHER
STATE.
THAT IS AND UNPSYCH
SPECIFIC.
JOINING ME ARE FORMER
ATTORNEY GENERAL SCOTT
HIRSCHBERGER WHO FLAT OUT
POSES BRINGING CHAOS TO
MASSACHUSETTS, REVERE MAYOR
AND STATE REPRESENTATIVE
MARTY WALSH WHO SAYS WE NEED
THE JOBS QUELL COME TO ALL
THREE OF YOU.
WE KNOW WHERE YOU STAND ON
THIS IF THIS BILL GOES BACK
TO THE SENATE AND GETS
REJIGGERED IN A WAY WITHOUT
THE SLOT MACHINES FOR
INSTANCE, COULD YOU BUY INTO
IT?
>> MY CONCERN IS THAT WE
FIRST OF ALL REALLY NEED TO
HAVE A MUCH DEEPER STUDY
ABOUT WHAT IS REALLY GOING
ON HERE.
AN INDEPENDENT STUDY.
WHAT AMAZES ME ABOUT THIS,
IF IT IS SUCH A PANACEA FOR
EVERYTHING AND GOING TO
SOLVE THESE VARIOUS PROBLEMS,
WHAT IS THE OBJECTION TO
LOOKING AT ALL THE COSTS AS
WELL AS THE BENEFITS AND
THEN MAKING A DECISION.
THIS IS, ONCE AGAIN, WE'RE
RUSHING INTO THIS AFTER
YEARS OF DELIBERATING.
WE'RE RUSHING IN IN SECRECY,
WITHOUT HEARINGS, ET CETERA
SECRETARY LEIGH WE ALREADY
GAMBLE AT A HUGE RATE THIS
IS NOT WHETHER YOU ARE FOR
OR AGAINST GAMBLING.
IT IS WHETHER WE WANT TO
MOVE TO MAJOR KINDS OF
EXPANSION OF GAMBLING
WITHOUT APPROPRIATE
SAFEGUARDS.
AND BY THAT I MEAN WHERE ARE
THE MAJOR CONSUMER
PROTECTIONS PUBLIC
PROTECTION, SAFEGUARDS,
WHERE ARE THE PUBLIC HEALTH
ISSUES HOW ARE WE DEALING
WITH THE FACT THAT WE IN
MASSACHUSETTS HAVE SO MANY
OTHER ECONOMIC ALTERNATIVES
THAT THIS REALLY REPRESENTS
FRANKLY A WAY TO AVOID THE
TOUGH DECISIONS OF HOW WE
HAVE REAL ECONOMIC
DEPARTMENT AND REAL JOBS AND
WE DO IT AGAIN IN A TIME OF
CRISIS.
IT IS RARELY EVER SUCCESSFUL
WHEN THERE IS NO CRISIS.
>> Rooney: THAT IS THE
QUESTION.
>> AND FIND THE REAL ESTATE
WHO HAS THIS, HAS WORSE
FISCAL PROBLEMS THAN WE HAVE
RIGHT NOW.
MASSACHUSETTS IS NOT
ENCOUNTERING THE SAME KIND
OF FISCAL PROBLEMS THAT MOST
STATES THAT HAVE RACINOS AND
CASINOS HAVE SO IT NOT A
PANACEA.
>> Rooney: HOW DO YOU
RESPOND, MAYOR, TO SOME OF
THE WARNINGS FROM THE PEOPLE
IN RHODE ISLAND SAY YOU GET
A SLOT PARLOR IN YOUR
NEIGHBORHOOD OR RACINO AND
BEFORE YOU KNOW IT YOU WILL
HAVE SOMETHING THAT LOOKS
LIKE TWIN RIVER WHICH HAS
4700 OF THOSE VIDEO SLOT
MACHINES.
>> I WOULD BE NAIVE TO SAY
THERE WILL BE NO DOWNSIDES
AT ALL.
TO A CASSIN OR A RACINO IF
IT CAME TO REVERE, BUT I
THINK IT SU A COST BENEFIT
ANALYSIS.
NO, IT NOT A PANACEA.
I DON'T THINK ANYONE IS
PORTRAYING IT AS SUCH.
I THINK IT JUST ONE PIECE OF
A WAY TO JUMP-START OUR
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND FOR
REVERE T REALLY COMES DOWN
TO THREE THINGS.
IT IS JOB, BOTH CONSTRUCTION
JOBS AND JOBS AT WHATEVER
FACILITY EXIST.
AND OUR UNEMPLOYMENT RATE IS
SIGNIFICANT IN REVERE
BECAUSE WE HAVE A LOT OF
UNEMPLOYMENT CONSTRUCTION
WORKERS.
THE SECOND THING COMES DOWN
TO IS LOCAL AID.
I MEAN FRANKLY T FOR CITIES
AND TOWNS LOOKING INTO THE
FUTURE, THERE IS NO HOPE OF
ANY GROWING LOCAL AID OTHER
THAN PERHAPS SOMETHING FROM
EXPANDED GAMING BECAUSE THE
LOTTERY RIGHT NOW HAS BEEN
RELATIVELY STAGNANT.
AND THIRD FOR REVERE BEING
PAROCHIAL, WE LOOK AT IT AS
WE HAVE TWO POTENTIAL
FACILITIES, THERE IS
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
POTENTIAL FOR OUR CITY FROM
THIS, SO IT IS A WIN BUT I
CAN SEE THERE WILL BE SOME
DOWNSIDES BUT LIKE ANY
PUBLIC POLICY ISSUE, FOR
DOES IS A COST BENEFIT
ANALYSIS AND THE BENEFITS
OUTWEIGH THE COSTS.
>> Rooney: THIS STRUCK US AS
VERY PERSONAL TO HOUSE
SPEAKER ROBERT DeLEO.
HIS FATHER USED TO WORK AT
SUFFOLK DOWNS.
HE FEELS VERY PASSIONATE
ABOUT SAVING THE HORSEMEN'S
JOBS BUT WE HAVE LET A LOT
OF OTHER BUSINESSES GO
UNDER.
THE RECORD STORES IT, COMBAT
ZONE, THOSE WERE BUSINESSES
AND THEY ATTRACTED TOURISTS
AND A LOT OF OTHER PEOPLE.
WE EITHER FORCE THEM OUT OF
BUSINESS OR RELET THEM GO
OUT OF BUSINESS.
WHY DO WE CARE ABOUT THE
RACE TRACK.
>> I THINK WHAT WE HAVE TO
DO RIGHT NOW, WITH THE RACE
TRACKS KEEPING INDUSTRY AS
LIVE, AND THE GENERAL SPOKE
BRIEFLY A MINUTE AGO ABOUT
THE ECONOMY AND WE ARE NOT
AS BAD AS OTHER STATES.
WE MIGHT NOT BE AS BAD AS
CALIFORNIA BUT WE ARE IN BAD
SHAPE.
I MEAN THE BUDGET CAME OUT
YESTERDAY AND WE'RE LOOKING
AT A BILLION AND A HALF LESS
THAN WE DID THE YEAR BEFORE
WHICH WAS $3 BILLION THE
YEAR BEFORE WHICH IS KIND OF
ABOUT SIX OR SEVEN BILLION
IN THE LAST THREE YEARS.
AND I THINK THAT THE
INDUSTRY IF WE CAN KEEP THE
INDUSTRY, THE RACING
INDUSTRY ALIVE AS WELL AS
SOME OTHER OPPORTUNITIES I
THINK THAT IS THE THING.
I DON'T THINK THE WHOLE BILL,
FOR ME IT WASN'T NECESSARILY
ABOUT KEEPING THE HORSING
INDUSTRY ALIVE.
IT WAS ABOUT CREATING AN
INDUSTRY HERE IN
MASSACHUSETTS WHERE PEOPLE
CAN EARN A LIVING, GET GOOD
JOBS.
>> THEN WHY CHOOSE THOSE
VOCATION.
WHY NOT DO-- BECAUSE IT
DOESN'T EVEN MAKE
GEOGRAPHICAL SENSE.
SOME OF THE RAISE OS WOULD
BE RIGHT ON TOP OF EACH
OTHER.
>> WE HAVE AN INDUSTRY
ALREADY BUILT IN THERE.
WHEN IT COMES TO RACING.
WE HAVE AN INDUSTRY THERE.
AND IF WE WERE LOOKING TO
PUT FORTH LIKE THEY DO A
VIDEO SLOT PARLOR LIKE IN
FLORIDA.
WE WOULD HAVE POTENTIALLY
SIX OR SEVEN OR EIGHT
LOCATIONS AROUND THE
COMMONWEALTH WHERE PEOPLE
WOULD BE GOING TO BET ON
PEOPLE OR PLAY THE SLOTS OR
WHATEVER MIGHT HAPPEN DOWN
THE ROAD.
I JUST THINK THERE WILL BE
TOO MANY OPPORTUNITY HERE'S
AND IT MAKES A PERFECT FIT
TO USE THEM INTO THE RACING
INDUSTRY TO TIE THEM INTO
THE RACE TRACKS.
IT'S BEEN DOWN AROUND THE
COUNTRY.
IT'S SOMETHING THAT I GUESS
WE CAN SAY THE COPYCAT TO
SOME DEGREE.
WE HAVE THE INDUSTRY ALREADY
THERE.
PEOPLE THERE.
>> THAT PLACE LIKE WONDER
LAKE.
>> AND SUFFOLK DOWNS AND THE
OTHER TWO.
WE ALSO HAVE A WORKFORCE
THERE RIGHT NOW THAT
PROBABLY FOR ALL INTENTS AND
PURPOSES IF WE DON'T DO
SOMETHING FOR THEM, THEY ARE
OUT OF BUSINESS.
FOR EXAMPLE, THE VOTERS OF
MASSACHUSETTS VOTED LAST
AREA TO ELIMINATE DOGS AT
RACE TRACKS.
IN THE BILL WAS BUILT IN TO
RETRAIN PEOPLE TO DO WORK IN
THE DIFFERENT FIELD.
HOW DO YOU TAKE A PERSON WHO
HAS WORKED AT A RACE TRACK
FOR 50 YEARS OR 40 YEARS,
WHO IS 57 YEARS OLD WHAT CAN
WE RETRAIN THEM.
>> Rooney: I DON'T KNOW WHY
WE HEAR MORE ABOUT THEM,
THAT WAS MY ORIGINAL
QUESTION, THAN OTHER PEOPLE.
NOT THAT I DON'T CARE ABOUT
THEM.
>> RESPECTFULLY, THAT'S THE
ISSUE.
IF THIS IS WHERE WE'RE GOING,
THE GENIE IS OUT OF THE
BOTTLE, LIKE LAY'S POTATO
CHIPS.
YOU CAN'T HAVE JUST ONE
BECAUSE THE NEXT INDUSTRY
WILL WANT THEIR RACINO AND
SLOTS, THEIR SOLUTION TO THE
PROBLEM.
WHAT MARTY MAKES, I
UNDERSTAND THE POINT.
BUT LET'S GO TO THE STATES,
MICHIGAN, ILLINOIS, THAT
HAVE BIGGER UNEMPLOYMENT,
MANY MORE CASSINOS, MANY
MORE RACINOS, BILLIONS IN
REVENUE FROM THAT AND THEY
HAVE HIGHER UNEMPLOYMENT
RATES, MORE ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT PROBLEMS AND
EVERYTHING ELSE.
AND I WILL GO TO THE MAYOR'S
POINT.
LET'S HAVE A REAL STUDY.
ALL THAT MOST OF US HAVE
HEARD IS WHY --
>> STATE SENATOR STANLEY
ROSEN BERG SAYS HE'S BEEN
ALL OVER THIS, HE HAS PUT A
HUGE REPORT TOGETHER FOR THE
STATE SENATE.
HE SAYS HE'S DONE THAT.
IT IS COMING OUT.
>> THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON,
THIS DEBATE, WE TALK ABOUT
MORE STUDIES THIS DEBATE HAS
BEEN GOING ON.
I'VE BEEN IN THE LEGISLATURE
FOR 13 YEARS.
I DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH MORE
STUDYING WE HAVE TO DO.
>> BECAUSE MARTY.
>> IF THE NUMBERS ARE THAT
FOR EVERY $1 IN REVENUE WE
GET IN THIS STATE THE ACTUAL
COSTS ARE $3, I WOULD LIKE
TO KNOW IF EF
REREPRESENTATIVE THAT VOTES
ON THIS, EXCEPT THOSE
NUMBERS FOR EVERY ONE DOLLAR
WE MAKE IN REVENUE IT COSTS
US THREE IN TERMS IT OF
VARIOUS TIMES, SOCIAL,
ECONOMIC, LAW ENFORCEMENT
BECAUSE THOSE NUMBERS ARE
REAL.
NOW THEY MAY NOT BE CORRECT
EITHER.
BUT THE NUMBERS, WHAT I GET.
>> I DON'T KNOW IF THOSE
NUMBERS ARE CORRECT.
>> NOBODY KNOWS.
>> I WANT TO KNOW WHERE IS
THE REVENUE NUMBER.
I'M TRYING TO FIGURE OUT
WHERE THESE REVENUE NUMBERS
CAME FROM BECAUSE BY ANY
ANALYSIS WE DID --
>> I WANT TO YOU WEIGH ON
THAT, DO YOU FEEL SORT OF
WORN DOWN.
38 STATES ALREADY HAVE IT,
IT IS A BIG DEAL.
LET'S JUST DO IT.
>> WELL, I DO BECAUSE I SAY
EVERY SINGLE DAY BUSES LEAVE
FROM REVERE TO GO TO
FOXWOODS, THESE PEOPLE ARE
GAMBLING.
WHY ARE WE LETTING ANOTHER
STATE TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THAT
REVENUE.
I AGREE THE REVENUE
PROTECTION-- PROJECTIONS ARE
ALL OVER THE STATE NOT ONE
CAN QUESTION MY THERE WILL
BE ADDITIONAL REVENUE.
FOR CITIES AND TOWNS WE'RE
DESPERATE.
>> I GUESS MY QUESTION IS,
AND MARTY RACED THIS,-- RAISED
THIS, WHAT ARE WE GOING TO
DOT MOMENT WE HAVE IT, NEW
HAMPSHIRE, VERMONT, MAINE,
YOU HEARD THE RHODE ISLAND-- THE
REASON FOXWOODS, MANY
REASONS IT HAS BEEN
SUCCESSFUL, ONE OF THE
REASONS IT IS THE ONLY ONE
IN SIX STATES.
THERE ARE MANY OTHER ISSUES
TO GO WITH IT.
SO ONCE THIS COMPETITION
STARTS, WHAT I AM CONCERNED
ABOUT IS HAS SOMEBODY REALLY
PROJECTED DOWN THE LINE
WHERE WE END UP.
WE THOUGHT THE BIG DATE WAS
SUCH A BIG THING.
>> WE SPOKE TO THE
ROCKEFELLER INSTITUTE OUT OF
NEW YORK STATE AND THEY SAID
LOOK THERE IS A FINITY
AMOUNT OF MONEY TO BE SPENT.
YOU ARE NOT GOING TO GET NEW
GAMBLERS.
WILL YOU GET THE SAME NUMBER
OF GAMBLERS.
THEY MAY STAY IN THE STATE
BUT YOU WILL NOT GET NEW
ONES.
>> LOOK AT THE TOURISM IN
MASSACHUSETTS.
YOU SEE WE ARE A
DESTINATION.
TOURISM IN MASSACHUSETTS IS
ONE OF THE BEST IN THE
COUNTRY.
SO WE HAVE A BUILT-IN BASE
OF PEOPLE COMING TO THIS
COMMONWEALTH EVERY YEAR, AN
LEAVING THIS COMMONWEALTH A
FEW WEEKS LATER SO WE HAVE A
BASE THERE THAT NEW
HAMPSHIRE MIGHT NOT HAVE
EXCEPT MAYBE THE SKI MONDAY
TAKENS.
VERMONT EXCEPT FOR SKEEING.
RHODE ISLAND AND STATES
AROUND US, I THINK WE ARE A
MORE ATTRACTIVE PLACE FOR
PEOPLE TO LOOK TO COME TO.
I THINK OUR CONVENTION
CENTER BUSINESS, I KNOW OUR
CONVENTION CENTER BUSINESS
WHICH IS ALREADY I THINK
NUMBER FIVE IN THE WORLD,
WILL INCREASE BY HAVING
THESE DESTINATION RESORT
CASINOS HERE IN
MASSACHUSETTS.
>> BUT EVEN AT THE END OF
THE DAY ALL WE EVER CAPTURED
IS THE MASSACHUSETTS GAMBLER
IT WOULD STILL BE
SIGNIFICANTLY MORE REVENUE
THAN NOW.
>> LOOK AT THE CAN BALANCE
SGLACHLINGTS YOU MENTIONED
THE LOTTERY.
THE LOTTERY WILL BE
CANNIBALIZED, SMALL
BUSINESSES, ENTERTAINMENT.
THAT MONEY HAS TO GO
SOMEWHERE.
MY POINT OF THIS IS YOU, WE
SAY WE STUDIED THIS BUT THE
REALITY IS TWO YEARS , WHAT
IS THE NEW FACTOR THERE A
NEW SPEAKER.
THAT'S WHAT HAPPENED TWO
YEARS AGO.
>> Rooney: WE WHERE GOING TO
CONTINUE THIS DISCUSSION,
SCOTT HIRSCHBERGER WILL YOU
DEPARTING, MARTY YOU ARE
STICKING AROUND AND WE WILL
CONTINUE THIS.
SO THERE THERE BE OTHER
PEOPLE WITH YOUR POINT OF
VIEW.
OTHER PEOPLE REPRESENTING
THINKS POINT OF VIEW.
WE ARE GOING TO CONTINUE HOW
MOHEGAN SUN AND FOXWOODS
HAVE CHANGED THE SURROUNDING
COMMUNITIES.
WAS KINO OPPONENTS RIGHT A
PRO UPON ENS SAY MOST
GAMBLERS ARE JUST GOOD FOLKS
OUT FOR A DAY OF SUN NEVER
HAD ANY CONTACT WITH THE
OUTSIDE COMMUNITY.
BOTH MAY BE TRUE.
WHAT IS ALSO TRUE IS THAT
THE FOLKS FROM MASSACHUSETTS
LOOKING FOR FUN HAVE TO GET
ON A BUS TO FIND IT.
>> BETWEEN INDIVIDUAL VISITS
AND ORGANIZED BUS TRIPS LIKE
THIS ONE, DEPARTING FROM A
REVERE SHOPPING MALL, IT'S
ESTIMATED THAT 20% OF
MOHEGAN SUN VISITORS ARE
FROM MASSACHUSETTS.
AND OVER A THIRD OF
FOXWOOD'S VISITORS ARE ALSO
FROM HERE.
>> I GO TO FOXWOOD TWICE A
MONTH.
>> IN SLOT MACHINE ALONE
THAT MEANS HUNDREDS OF
MILLIONS OF DOLLARS GO SOUTH
EACH YEAR.
WHY BRING THE MONEY UP TO
CONNECTICUT, REALLY, WE NEED
THE MONEY HERE.
>> BUT THAT COMES AT ITS OWN
PRICE.
JARED BOWEN ADVICE THED
SOUTHEASTERN CONNECTICUT TO
SEE WHAT HAPPENS WHEN A
CASINO SPRINGS UP IN A RURAL
COMMUNITY.
>> IN THE EARLY 1990s
SOUTHEASTERN CONNECTICUT WAS
AT RISK OF BECOMING THE LAND
INDUSTRY FORGOT.
IT'S ECONOMIC BACKBONE, THE
REGION'S DEFENSE
MANUFACTURERS BEGAN CLOSING
UP SHOP.
IS 23,000 JOBS EVAPORATED.
>> OUR COMMUNITY WOULD HAVE
BEEN DEVASTATED.
>> IT WASN'T THOUGH BECAUSE
AS DEFENSE BEGAN MOVING OUT,
A NEW ECONOMIC ENGINE WAS
MOVING IN.
>> THE CASINOS DID FILL A
VOID, MAKE NO DOUBT ABOUT
IT.
>> ON THIS OTHERWISE SLEEPY
CONNECTICUT SLOPE, ROSE THE
SPRAWLING AND TOWERING
MOHEGAN SUN RESORT CASINO.
TEN MILES AWAY FROM
FOXWOOD'S CASINO WHICH HAD
HOPED THREE YEARS EARLIER.
AS IT DOES TODAY, MOHEGAN
SUN GLIMMERED AND SPARKLED
BOASTING EXCEPTIONAL DINING,
ENTERTAINMENT AND SHOPPING
AND BEST OF ALL, IT SANG.
MONEY POURED IN,-- FILLED
BACK IN THE COMMUNITY.
>> WE PAY A 20% SLOT TAX TO
THE STATE AND THAT IS IN THE
HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF
DOLLARS EVERY YEAR.
BUT WE ALSO PROVIDE 500,000
DOLLARS DIRECTLY TO THE TOWN
OF MONTVILLE AS OUR PRIMARY
HOST COMMUNITY.
WE ALSO WORK WITH THE CITY
OF NORWICH.
>> WE WERE, YOU KNOW, VERY
WILLING TO ACCEPT THAT AS A
SUPPLEMENT.
>> BUT NOT LONG AFTER THE
CASINOS OPENING HOOPLA THE
BOON WENT BUST.
NORWOOD-- NORWICH
CONNECTICUT ALDERMAN SAYS
NEIGHBORING COMMUNITIES LIKE
HIS WERE BROADSIDED.
>> ACTUALLY SOME BUSINESSES
HAVE GONE BANKRUPT BECAUSE
OF THE CASINOS.
>> EVERYONE WAS GOING THERE
BECAUSE IT IS NEW AND FANCY
IT HAPPENED QUITE QUICKLY.
I THINK IT'S PROBABLY
LEVELED OFF NOW BECAUSE WE
JUST DON'T HAVE ANY MORE
INCOME LEFT.
>> NORWICH HAS CERTAINLY
FELT THE LOSS OF INCOME BUT
WHAT IT HAS SEEN IS WORSE.
>> WE ARE SEEING MORE
INSTANCES OF PROSTITUTION.
WE'RE SEEING MORE CRIME.
WE'RE SEEING MORE HOME
VIOLATIONS.
>> THE CITY'S VIABILITY HAS
CHANGED BECAUSE THE
DEMOGRAPHICS HAVE CHANGED
SAYS NORWICH EDUCATION CHIEF
CHARLES GENTLEMAN'SCOULD
WITS WHO LIVED HERE FOR OVER
30 YEARS.
>> BECAUSE IT NOW A SERVICE
AND TRADE RELATED INDUSTRY,
THE MEDIAN INCOME HAS
ACTUALLY GONE DOWN BUT YET
THE COST-OF-LIVING CONTINUES
TO GO UP.
>> MOW HEGAN SUN HAS ROUGH
LEIGH $9,000 EMPLOYEES BUT
THE MAJORITY ARE LOWER
SALARIES SERVICE WORKERS WHO
ARE TAXING AREA SCHOOL
SYSTEMS.
FOR INSTANCE, THE NUMBER OF
NONENGLISH SPEAKING STUDENTS
HAS MORE THAN QUADRUPLED
SINCE THE CASINOS ARRIVED.
>> HOW DO YOU AS A
MUNICIPALITY HOLD IT
TOGETHER.
>> UNFORTUNATELY, TO HOLD IT
TOGETHER THIS HERE AS BEEN
VERY DIFFICULT.
WE JUST SERVED NOTICE TO 71
NONTENURED TEACHERS THEY
WILL NOT HAVE A POSITION
THIS YEAR.
WE ARE IN THE MIDST OF
HAVING TO CLOSE A SCHOOL.
>> THE TRIBE SPOKESMAN FEELS
THE CASSINO BEARS
RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE
IMPACT IN NO SMALL PART
BECAUSE SHE LIVES HERE.
>> I WORKED AT THE LOCAL
COMMUNITY HOSPITAL.
OUR FAMILY STILL LIVES HERE,
MY DAUGHTER DWRU UP HERE, I
GRADUATED FROM THE LOCAL
HIGH SCHOOL.
WE ARE VERY MUCH A PART OF
THE FABRIC OF THE COMMUNITY.
>> WHICH IS WHY SHE SAYS THE
CASINO GAVE OVER A MILLION
DOLLARS IN CHARITABLE
CONTRIBUTIONS TO LOCAL
COMMUNITIES LAST YEAR.
FOR EVERYTHING FROM
EDUCATION TO HOUSING, WHAT
IS MORE, WHEN THE NUMBER OF
DUI ARRESTS INVOLVING CAT
INO PATRONS SPIKED, MOHEGAN
SON BECAME PROACTIVE.
>> WHAT WE DECIDED TO DO WAS
JUST GET EVEN MORE ENGAGED
AND SO WE HAVE MADD COMING
ON PROPERTY TO WORK WITH US.
WE GOT THE TATE POLICE
INVOLVED.
>> BUT WHERE THE CASINO HAS
NO INVOLVEMENT IS IN
DETERMINING HOW THE STATE OF
CONNECTICUT DISTRIBUTES
GAMING REVENUE TO STARVING
CITIES AND TOWNS LIKE
NORWICH.
WHEN THE CASINOS FIRST
OPENED CONNECTICUT GAVE
APPROXIMATELY 78% OF ITS
TAKE TO COMMUNITIES.
NOW IT GIVES JUST 14%.
>> WHAT BURNS ME IS OUR
STATE LEADERS NEVER CAME TO
US AND SAY WHAT DO YOU
EXPECT FOR IMPACT.
HOW CAN WE DO IT.
DO WE NEED TO PUT SOMETHING
ASIDE FOR YOUR LOCAL IMPACT
TO NORWICH AND THE
SURROUNDING TOWN.
THAT'S WHAT DIDN'T HAPPEN.
THAT'S THE MISTAKE AND
THAT'S WHAT I WARNED CITIES
AND TOWNS IN MASSACHUSETTS
NOT TO LET HAPPEN TO THEM.
>> IS IT FAIR TO
CHARACTERIZE IT TO SAY THAT
THE CASINOS WERE A NECESSARY
EVIL.
>> IT'S NOT SO MUCH A
NECESSARY EVIL.
ITSEE THAT THEY ACTUALLY
BECAME A CONTRIBUTOR TO OR
SOCIETY, TO OUR COMMUNITY,
WITHOUT THEM I THINK WE
WOULD BE IN A MUCH TOUGHER
SHAPE.
>> A PAYOFF TO BE SURE.
JUST NOT THE PRIZE NORWICH
EXPECTED.
>> JOINING OUR GROUP NOW IS
LAURA EVERETT OF THE COUNCIL
OF CHURCHS WHO SAYS SLOTS
ARE THE REAL EVIL HERE.
PAUL BURNS OF THE PALMER
TOWN COUNCIL AND STILL WITH
US IS REPRESENTATIVE MARTY
WALSH.
PAUL, FIRST YOU.
YOU ARE LISTENING TO THE
PEOPLE IN LOIN CON AND
AROUND MOHEGAN SUN SAY THE
TOWN WAS TRACKICALLY CHANGED
BY THE DEMOGRAPHICS.
BY THE WORKERS THAT CAME IN.
THAT SO MANY OF THE FAMILIES
DIDN'T SPEAK ENG LUSH.
THE HOUSING SITUATION
CHANGED IT LITERALLY CHANGED
THE FABRIC OF THE COMMUNITY.
WOULD YOU BE PREPARED FOR
THAT IN PALMER?
>> I THINK WE ARE.
BUT I THINK ALSO THE DEGREE
OF MAGNITUDE OF CHANGE WILL
BE VERY DIFFERENT IN PALMER.
AT THE TIME IN CONNECTICUT
UNEMPLOYMENT WAS 2%.
CURRENTLY IN PALMER IT'S 13%
N SPRING FEEL, LUDLOW IT'S
14% OR HIGHER.
THROUGHOUT CAMDEN COUNTY AND
THAT REGION AROUND 13%
UNEMPLOYMENT.
SO YOU I THINK THIS A BIG
PART OF THE DIFFERENCE.
ALSO THE CASINO IS ONE-THIRD
THE SIZE, OF THE MOHEGAN
SUN.
>> THINGS HAVE A WAY OF
GROWING.
>> OH, THEY DO.
BUT I THINK REGARDLESS,
INITIALLY THE IMPACT IS
GOING TO BE MUCH SMALLER
THAN MOHEGAN.
I THINK SPEAKS TO A MUCH
STRONGER REGIONAL APPROACH
BECAUSE WE NEED TO RELY ON
THE REGION TO STAFF THOSE
JOBS.
>> SO YOU THINK WILL YOU
HAVE THE MAN POER W THE
PEOPLE RIGHT THERE TO TAKE
THOSE, THEY WILL NOT HAVE TO
IMPORT THEM WHICH IS REALLY
WHAT HAPPENED IN
CONNECTICUT.
>> THERE ARE 70,000
UNEMPLOYMENT PEOPLE WITHIN
20 MINUTES.
>> THEY MAY NOT WANT THESE
JOBS.
>> THEY MAY NOT.
WITH 3,000 JOBS I WOULD
IMAGINE WITHIN THAT POOL OF
70,000 PEOPLE, THAT A
SIGNIFICANT NUMBER WILL COME
IN AN ACCEPT THOSE JOBS.
AND I THINK IT'S DIFFICULT
TO BLAME THE CASINO TO SAY
NOBODY WANTS THESE JOBS.
I THINK TO SOME DEGREE IT'S
DIFFICULT WHEN THEY
CHARACTERIZE THESE JOBS IT'S
ALL LOW-PAYING JOBS AND THE
MAJORITY OF LOW-PAYING JOBS.
THERE IS A RANGE OF
POSITIONS THIS THERE.
AND I WORK IN EMPLOYMENT
SERVICES SO I'M WELL AWARE
OF THE TYPES OF JOBS THAT
ARE AVAILABLE IN MANY
INDUSTRIES.
AND THE RANGE OF SALARYS IF
IN THE CASINO IS ANYWHERE
FROM MINIMUM WAGE JOBS WHICH
EVERY INDUSTRY HAS MINIMUM
WAGE JOBS AND I THINK WE
NEED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT.
UP TO 9 NATIONAL AVERAGE IS
$45 AN HOUR.
>> 1% ARE SIX FIGURES.
>> RIGHT, BUT I'M NOT EVEN
TALKING ABOUT THE SIX
FIGURES.
I'M TALKING ABOUT, YOU KNOW,
RESTAURANT MANAGERS, HOTEL
MANAGERS, GAMING MANAGERS.
AND THOSE SALARIES RANGE
FROM 25 TO 45 AN HOUR.
>> YOU HAVE BEEN CONSISTENT
ALL ALONG.
WE'VE TALKED TO OVER THE
LAST COUPLE OF WEEKS AND WE
UNDERSTAND YOUR OPPOSITION
IS REALLY TO THE SLOT
MACHINES AND THEY ARE
AGAINST CASINOS IN GENERAL
BUT SLOTS.
WHEN YOU LISTEN PAUL AND
SOME OF THE OTHER ARGUMENTS
FOR 13% UNEMPLOYMENT IN HIS
COMMUNITY ALONE, HE'S SAYING
GIVE THIS A SHOT.
THE PEOPLE ARE DESPERATE,
THEY'RE HURTING AND YES IT'S
GOING TO CREATE SOME
PROBLEMS.
THERE IS GOING TO BE SOME
ADDICTION.
PEOPLE ARE GOING TO LOSE
SOME MONEY.
BUT IT'S GOING TO HELP THE
STATE IN THE END.
>> WELL, I THINK THE
QUESTION IS HOW DO WE
SUPPORT CREATIVE DYNAMIC
ECONOMY IN MASSACHUSETTS.
AND SLOT MACHINES WHETHER
THEY ARE AT RACE TRACKS OR
AT CASINOS SIMPLY AREN'T THE
ANSWER TO THAT.
WE ASK WITHOUT AN
INDEPENDENT COST BENEFIT
ANALYSIS HOW DO WE KNOW IF
THESE NUMBERS WILL PLAY OUT.
WHERE IS THE VOICE FOR THE
JOBS THAT WILL BE LOST.
BECAUSE THE RESTAURANT
CLOSES IN THE TOWN NEXT TO
THE CASINO.
WHERE ARE THE VOICES FOR THE
JOBS THAT WILL BE LOST WHEN
PEOPLE DON'T --
>> WE'VE LOOKED AT IT IN
CONNECTICUT, RHODE ISLAND,
MICHIGAN.
WE'VE TALKED TO GUYS AS I
SAID EARLIER, --
>> I MEAN MICHIGAN HAS THREE
CASINOS AND WHEN
COMMONWEALTH MAGAZINE
STUDIED THIS, THEY SAID
THREE CASINOS, 8500 JOBS.
AND YET WE'RE TALKING ABOUT
TWO CASINOS AND THE NUMBERS
FROM THE SPEAKER'S OFFICE
ARE 15,000 JOBS.
HOW DO WE KNOW WHERE THOSE
NUMBERS ARE FROM.
WE HAVE NOT HAD AN
INDEPENDENT COST BENEFIT
ANALYSIS.
>> WELL, BUT MOST OF THE
PEOPLE WHO HAVE LIVED
THROUGH THIS IS A IT'S NOT
AS BAD AS PREDICTED AND NOT
AS GOOD AS PREDICTED.
AND YOU REALLY CAN'T DO AN
INDEPENDENT ANALYSIS WITH
ANY KIND OF ACCURACY THAT
HAS ALREADY BEEN DONE, THAT
HASN'T ALREADY BEEN DONE.
>> IF WE ARE TALKING ABOUT
THE BIGGEST GAMBLING
EXPANSION, BOTH IN TERMS OF
THE TYPE OF PRODUCTS AND THE
SCALE ACROSS MASSACHUSETTS,
SHOULDN'T WE BE DOING THE
DUE DILIGENCE TO SAY LET'S
TAKE SOME TIME TO LOOK AT
THIS.
AND SEE WHAT WILL BE GAINED
AND WHAT WILL BE LOST?
>> I THINK WE HAVE IN MANY
RESPECTS.
WE CERTAINLY HAVE A SPECTRUM
STUDY SINCE 2008.
WHICH IS NOT A PERFECT STULDEE
BUT PROVIDES A BASELINE.
I THINK NO MATTER WHO WE GO
TO FOR A SUPPOSED
INDEPENDENT COST BENEFIT
ANALYSIS, THEY ARE GOING TO
BE CARRYING THEIR OWN TORCH.
AND ULTIMATELY WE HAVE TO
TAKE THAT PART OF THE
EQUATION AND SAY JUST HOW
INDEPENDENT IS THIS.
>> THE SPECTRUM WAS JUST A
BENEFITS ANALYSIS FROM AN
INDUSTRY COMPANY.
>> THEY OUTLINED SOME OF THE
COSTS AS WELL.
>> Rooney: MARTY,.
>> WITH YOU PUT ME IN THE
WRONG SEAT.
>> Rooney: I'M SORRY.
WE HAVE BEEN LOOKING AT THIS,
SINCE WHEN I USED TO LOOK IN
A LITTLE RADIO STATION IN
THE BERKSHIRES, LOOKING AT
DEVELOPING GREYLOCK GLEN IN
THE EARLY 70s.
AND THE LEGISLATURE HAS BEEN
INVOLVED WITH THIS.
THEY LOOKED AT COST BENEFIT
ANALYSIS.
THEY LOOKED AT WHAT IT WOULD
DO TO COMMUNITIES.
BACK THEN IT WAS A MORE ALL
ISSUE WHICH I SAID MANY
TIMES HAS ACTUALLY GONE
AWAY.
THAT PROBABLY WOULD HAVE
BEEN A GOOD SPOT FOR A
CASINO.
BUT THE LEGISLATURE HAS
LOOKED AT THAT.
DO YOU FEEL SATISFIED WHERE
HE WITH WHAT YOU KNOW
NOWNESS I DO.
AS FAR AS THE SPEAKER'S
ANALYSIS OF 15,000 JOBS THAT
COULD BE T IS A CONSERVATIVE
ANALYSIS, 15,000 JOBS FROM
THE FIRST-- FROM LITERALLY
THE FIRST SHOVEL IN THE
GROUND TO THE CASINO IS
FINISHED AND UP AND RUNNING
AFTER THAT.
SO HE HAS BEEN VERY
CONSISTENT ON THAT.
THE NUMBERS, IT WILL CREATE
15,000 JOBS FROM THE
CONSTRUCTION WORKERS THROUGH
THE PEOPLE THAT WILL BE
WORKING AT THE CASINOS AND
SO ON AND SO FORTH.
I MEAN WE LOOKED AT THE CLIP
THAT SHOWED FOXWOOD, I THINK
IT WAS FOXXWOOD.
DIFFERENT AREAS, THAT WAS AN
INDIAN SOVEREIGN NATION THAT
WENT FORWARD, THAT WORKED
OUT A COMPACT.
THESE ARE CASINOS AND RACE
ITCHOS WE HAVE HERE IN
MASSACHUSETTS, THEY ARE
GOING TO BE GOVERNED BY A
BOARD THAT WILL BE PUT
TOGETHER GI THE GOVERNOR,
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE
TREASURER, THERE GOING TO BE
LOOKING AT IT AS FAR AS
MITIGATION FOR COMMUNITIES
THAT ARE NEXT TO EACH OTHER.
ALL OF THAT STUFF.
>> EXCEPT YOU HEARD THAT
THAT IS A COMMUNITY THAT
REALLY CARES ABOUT THE
COMMUNITY, COMMUNITY THAT
REALLY CARES ABOUT THEIR
COMMUNITY.
THEY ARE MAKING THE ARGUMENT
THAT THEY HAVE CONNECTED.
>> THE GENTLEMAN WAS
COMPLAINING ABOUT THE STATE
LEGISLATURE WHERE IN THAT
CASE, IT WAS A COMPACT MADE
UP, IN A LOT OF CASES LIKE
MIDDLEBORO WITH THE TOWN,
NOT THE REPRESENTATION.
IN THIS CASE HERE IT IS
LOCAL.
AND IN MANY CASES THE
LOCATED OFFICIALS WHERE IN
PALMER OR THAT AREA OR
SOUTHEASTERN MASSACHUSETTS
OR BOSTON, THEY ARE
CONCERNED ABOUT ADJOINING
TOWNS TO MAKE SURE THERE IS
SOMETHING BUILT INTO THIS
LEGISLATION THAT TAKES CARE
OF THEIR TOWN AS THEY MOVE
FORWARD.
AND THAT'S BEEN DONE.
>> WE HAVE A REGIONAL TASK
FORCE THAT MEETS MONTHLY TO
DISCUSS THE REGIONAL IMPACTS
SO I THINK THE MODEL IS
THERE THAT WE'RE GOING TO
WORK TOGETHER.
BUT I THINK PART OF THIS
DEBATE TOO I THINK THERE IS
A HUGE DIFFERENCE IN WHAT
HAPPENED IN CONNECTICUT
BECAUSE THEY ARE NONTAX
PAYING CASS'S, HALF A
MILLION DOLLARS A YEAR.
>> DID THEY GIVE BACK THIS
IS OUTRAGE US.
>> IT HAS BEEN SIGNIFICANT.
IT IS NOT GOING TO PAY FOR
ANYTHING.
THIS CASINO IF IT COMES TO
PALM LETTER PAY MORE THAN A
MILLION DOLLARS A YEAR IN
PROPERTY TAXES.
ROUGHLY SOMEWHERE IN THAT
VICINITY IN MEALS AND HOTEL
TAXES AND WHATEVER ELSE,
THEN WE NEED TO NEGOTIATE.
>> THE MASS PIKE THAT IS A
DISASTER, YOU HAVE TO HAVE A
FLY-OVER.
>> LAST WORD.
>> I THINK THE IDEA THAT WE
CAN SOMEHOW MITIGATE AWAY
THE COSTS OF THE MOST
ADDICTIVE PRODUCT ON THE
MARKET IS RIDICULOUS.
THERE WAS 5 MILLION
APPROPRIATED FOR COMPULSIVE
GAMBLING.
MASS COUNCIL ON COMPULSIVE
GAMBLING SID 23 MILLION.
STILL THE MASSACHUSETTS
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES DID
NOT PASS AN AMENDMENT THAT
SAID WE WILL INCLUDE
GAMBLING ADDICTION IN THE
MENTAL HEALTH COVERAGE IN
HEALTH INSURANCE.
AND WE WILL NOT SEND IN A
REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE
CASINO, IF SOMEONE IS
PLAYING OVER 1 HOURS
CONSECUTIVE.
>> ADDICTION DOESN'T COME
FROM AN INDUSTRY.
>> ABSOLUTELY.
>> WE WOULD BE GOING AFTER
THE LIQUOR INDUSTRY, AFTER
THE LOTTERY, WE WOULD BE
GOING AFTER THE
PHARMACEUTICAL MANUFACTURERS.
>> .
>> Rooney: TO BE CONTINUED.
THE DEBATE ON BEACON HILL
AND RIGHT HERE ON GREATER
BOSTON, THE LAST RESORT WE
WERE TALK HERE TODAY.
LAURA EVERETT, THANK YOU SO
MUCH, PAUL BYRNES AND MARTY
WALSH, THANK YOU SO MUCH
THAT IS IT FOR THE LAST
RESORT SPECIAL BUT YOU CAN
STILL JOIN THE DEBATE GO.
TO OUR WEB SITE
WGBH.ORG/LASTRESORT.
ANSWER OUR QUESTIONS OR
SKBLOUS OFF SOME STEAM.
TOMORROW NIGHT, IT'S BEAT
THE PRESS, FOR ALL OF US,
I'M EMILY ROONEY.
GOOD NIGHT