House Passes Expanded Gaming Legislation
Authorizes Three Casinos and a Slots Facility; Maximizes Immediate Jobs and Local Aid
(BOSTON) – State Representative Paul J. Donato (D-Medford) joined his colleagues in the Massachusetts House of Representatives in passing expanded gaming legislation designed to create jobs and stimulate economic growth throughout the Commonwealth.
The bill will create an estimated 15,000 jobs in the Commonwealth while delivering an estimated- millions of dollars in immediate local aid to cities and towns.
“With people in our Commonwealth hurting, this expanded gaming legislation will bring immediate jobs, local aid and economic growth.” House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo (D-Winthrop) said. “I am extraordinarily proud of the House’s unwavering commitment to jobs and growth. While not a panacea, this bill will stimulate our economy and provide local aid for the cities and towns across Massachusetts.”
“While gaming is not the solution to all the economic challenges facing the Commonwealth of Massachusetts,” said Representative Donato, “it provides an opportunity to create jobs and generate revenues that are desperately needed at this time.”
The bill would create an independent gaming commission to license and regulate gaming entities in the Commonwealth. After an extensive licensing process, the commission could authorize one casino in each of three designated regions of the Commonwealth.
The bill divides the state into three casino regions. Region A would include the counties of Essex, Middlesex, Norfolk, Suffolk, and Worcester. Region B would include the counties of Berkshire, Franklin, Hamden and Hampshire with Region C the counties of Bristol, Dukes, Plymouth, Barnstable and Nantucket.
The bill also makes provision for the Governor to compact with a Native American Tribe for a gaming license in Region C to provide maximize economic development benefits by August 1, 2012.
Resort casinos would be required to pay $85 million in licensing fees while also making a minimal capital investment of $500 million.
Under the legislation, the independent gaming commission is also authorized to license slot machines at one location to a qualified applicant in a competitively-bid process.
The licensing fee for housing slot machines would be $25 million. Slot applicants will be obligated to make a minimal capital investment of at least $125 million.
The resort casino tax rate would be 25 percent while the tax rate for racetracks with slots would be 40% going directly to local aid and an additional 9 percent assessment to be used for horse development funding.
Casino revenue would go toward local aid, the state’s stabilization fund, economic development, education, debt reduction, tourism, transportation infrastructure, community mitigation, public health and local capital projects. (September 16, 2011)
************* State Legislature Passes Court Reorganization Legislation Reforms Probation Hiring; Establishes Civilian Court Administrator BOSTON - Representative Paul J. Donato (D-Medford) and his colleagues in the Massachusetts Legislature passed landmark court reorganization legislation aimed at improving the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of the state's court system and restoring public trust in the Department of Probation. The bill establishes a civilian court administrator to run the general administration of the Trial Court and brings transparency to hiring and promotion practices at the Department of Probation. "This legislation reflects real reform in the court system and will hopefully be a major step forward in restoring public confidence in the Probation Department," said Representative Donato. The bill is before the Governor for his signature. (August 11, 2011) ************** HOUSE PASSES SALES TAX HOLIDAY LEGISLATION Sets Tax-Free Weekend in August to Boost Local Business BOSTON – State Representative Paul J. Donato (D-Medford) joined his colleagues in the Massachusetts House of Representatives in approving legislation that would allow a state sales tax holiday on August 13th and 14th of this year to encourage consumers to shop at local businesses across the state.
“With folks across the Commonwealth continuing to struggle through the economic downturn, the sales tax holiday will provide relief to consumers while supporting local merchants,” House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo said. “The House has once again voted to stimulate local businesses which keep jobs in Massachusetts.”
“The Sales Tax Holiday will provide modest relief to the citizens of the Commonwealth who are looking for any piece of good news they can get in this very challenging economy,” said House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr.
“Even at a cost, this serves as an economic stimulus for both consumers and retailers,” said Representative Joseph F. Wagner, House Chairman of the Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies. “During these tough economic times, working families deserve a break.”
“The tax free holiday is an opportunity for the consumer to catch a break as well as to stimulate the local economy,” said Representative Donato.
The legislation requires that the commissioner of revenue certify the amount of sales tax forgone as well as the amount of revenue lost from specific government funds into which the weekend’s sales tax revenue would have been deposited.
The commissioner must also certify the amount of new revenue raised from personal and corporate income taxes and other sources as a result of the sales tax holiday. These certifications must come by the end of this calendar year.
The sales tax holiday applies to retail sales excluding any single item priced higher than $2,500. The sales tax holiday does not apply to telecommunications or tobacco products as well as gas, steam, electricity, motor vehicles, motorboats or meals.
(July 29, 2011) ************
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