Wednesday, March 03, 2010

Sign the Slots Cost/Benefits Analysis Petition

Whether you agree with me, in that slot machines would be very bad policy for Massachusetts, or not, I'm sure everyone can agree that it's generally a good idea to do a comprehensive, nonpartisan study, that doesn't come from the industry or those who have been paid by them, on any potential major change to the state before we go ahead and do it. That's why I'm here to ask you to sign onto a petition asking for a comprehensive cost/benefits analysis on slot machines in Massachusetts.

Slots would have an impact on local communities, local businesses, families, crime, traffic and infrastructure needs (which extends way beyond traffic into areas like "how can we safely get enough water here") -- and even the arts. They can impact school systems, local police forces, and the environment.

There's a lot of very complicated things going on here when you're dealing with something as large as a casino, with a product as problematic as slot machines. The Governor recognized this when he signed onto the concept of a major, comprehensive cost/benefits analysis, but the Speaker of the House -- Representative DeLeo, he of two slot-wanting tracks in his district -- has been gung-ho against any comprehensive study.

Well, tell him we here in Massachusetts like to know just what we're getting into by signing onto a petition for a comprehensive cost-benefit analysis. Whether you support the idea of slots or not, we need to have this study to know what we're getting ourselves into. This is a basic, bare-minimum

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

If there is a study and it says slots are OK, will we see you at the ribbon cutting ceremony?

Gladys Kravitz said...

No study, unless performed by the likes of UMass Prof. Clyde Barrow, and others who receive their funding from the gambling industry will tell you slots are OK. That is why we are asking people to sign on to an INDEPENDENT analysis.

A true independent cost-benefit analysis will do just that - lay out the costs and benefits. Then, with this transparent information in hand, citizens and their elected officials, from town boards to the Governor can better determine if the costs are worth the benefits.

The gambling industry, not gambling opponents, fear this approach.

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