Politics & Government

Mayor Galvin Signs On In Support of Resort Casinos

Mayor Scott Galvin is one of 23 mayors in favor of resort casinos in Massachusetts.

Mayor Scott Galvin added his name Thursday to a list of Massachusetts mayors who support resort-style casinos in the state.

Galvin and 10 other mayors signed a letter supporting the gambling measure after a dozen of the state's mayors sent a letter in support last month. 

According to a press release issued Thursday morning, the letter urges the Senate to move forward with the legislation, arguing that it will "provide much needed revenue for [the mayors'] cities and towns across Massachusetts."

Find out what's happening in Woburnwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

For more information and a list of other mayors supporting resort-style casinos, read a copy of the press release below:

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Find out what's happening in Woburnwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Boston, MA- As the Massachusetts State Senate resumes debating a gaming bill this week that will create thousands of new jobs, generate millions of dollars in new revenues, and fuel tourism, 11 additional Mayors signed a letter today in support of resort style casinos. An earlier letter, sent three weeks ago, carried the signatures of 12 mayors from across the state. The letter was sent to the Governor, Senate President, and Speaker of the House.  

The letter urges the Senate to continue to move forward with the legislation that will provide much needed revenue for their cities and towns across Massachusetts. The letter also cites the thousands of jobs that will be created if the legislation passes. 

The following mayors added their support today: Mayor Judith Kennedy - Lynn, Mayor Domenic Sarno - Springfield, Mayor Susan Kay - Weymouth, Mayor Setti Warren - Newton, Mayor Thomas Koch - Quincy, Mayor Scott Galvin - Woburn, Mayor Thatcher Kezer - Amesbury, Mayor Daniel Knapik - Westfield, Mayor Carlo DeMaria - Everett, Mayor Michael Bissonnette - Chicopee and Mayor William Flanagan – Fall River.

“The Commonwealth is in desperate need for the jobs and revenue that resort style casinos will generate,” said Salem Mayor Kimberley Driscoll, an original signer of the mayor’s letter that was sent to the Governor, Speaker and Senate President on September 14th. “After 18 years of exporting Massachusetts, jobs, after 18 years of exporting Massachusetts tax revenues and after 18 years of Massachusetts residents subsidizing Connecticut and Rhode Island small business growth, the time is right for this resort casino legislation,” Driscoll added.

Since Foxwoods, Mohegan Sun, Twin River, Newport Grand and Hollywood Slots opened, Massachusetts residents have spent more than $12 billion at those sites and, in doing so, generated more than $4 billion in tax revenues to Connecticut, Rhode Island and Maine state governments.

A full text of the letter follows: 

Last winter we asked you to join together to forge a resort casinos proposal that will generate much-needed new revenue for our cities and towns, create thousands of permanent new jobs, and revitalize our state’s tourism, hospitality, small business and convention and meeting sectors. You accomplished that vital fiscal and economic goal and, on behalf of the citizens of our Commonwealth, we thank you.

Today, we are again writing to you, this time to ask for your continued leadership and support in enacting into law this important fiscal and economic legislation.

As you are well aware, Massachusetts residents represent the single largest group of patrons at New England’s resort casinos and slot parlors. Our citizens spend upwards of $1 billion annually at Connecticut’s resort casinos and at slot parlors in Rhode Island and Maine. Since 1992, Bay State residents have spent more than $12 billion at New England’s casinos and slot parlors, generating more than $4 billion in tax revenues, primarily to Connecticut and Rhode Island state governments. Massachusetts residents represent 37% of all spending and taxes generated at the region’s resort casinos and slot parlors, and are directly responsible for the creation of more than 7,000 of the 20,000 jobs at Connecticut’s casinos and Rhode Island and Maine slot parlors.

Three destination resort casinos and one slot parlor in our Commonwealth will generate more than $400 million in new annual tax revenues, create thousands of construction jobs and permanent casino and slot parlor jobs.These world-class gaming and entertainment venues will also grow our state’s tourism, hospitality and convention and meeting sectors, and generate more than $500 million annually in spending by the casinos and slot parlor among Massachusetts businesses for the goods and services necessary to furnish and operate these world-class gaming and entertainment venues.

Massachusetts desperately needs the new revenues and new jobs that expanded gaming will bring to our state, and our cities and towns, struggling with cuts in state aid, will also benefit from an increase in local aid necessary to fund critical programs and services.

We thank you, again, for your vision, leadership and efforts in moving forward this important fiscal and economic legislation; legislation that, when enacted into law, will once again ensure a more competitive Massachusetts that will benefit all of the citizens of our Commonwealth.

Sincerely,

Mayor Tom Menino -- Boston

Mayor Tom Ambrosino -- Revere

Mayor Elaine Pluta -- Holyoke

Mayor Mark Hawke -- Gardner

*Mayor Judith Kennedy -- Lynn

Mayor Kimberley Driscoll -- Salem

Town Council President Paul Burns -- Palmer

Mayor Lisa Wong -- Fitchburg

Mayor Robert Dolan -- Melrose

*Mayor Domenic Sarno -- Springfield

City Manager Jay Ash -- Chelsea

Mayor Scott Lang -- New Bedford

Mayor Michael Tautznik -- Easthampton

Mayor Carolyn Kirk -- Gloucester

*Mayor Susan Kay -- Weymouth

*Mayor Setti Warren -- Newton

*Mayor Thomas Koch -- Quincy

*Mayor Scott Galvin --Woburn

*Mayor Thatcher Kezer -- Amesbury

*Mayor Daniel Knapik -- Westfield

*Mayor Carlo DeMaria – Everett

*Mayor Michael Bissonnette – Chicopee

*Mayor William Flanagan – Fall River

 

* Mayors added Oct. 6.


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