Post by Okwes on Mar 27, 2007 14:42:59 GMT -5
Patrick suggests gambling, local taxes as ways to raise revenue
By Associated Press
BOSTON -- Gov. Deval Patrick said on Saturday that he's considering casino gambling and allowing communities to impose new, local taxes as ways to reduce a state budget deficit he has projected at $1 billion.
Patrick, speaking to city and town officials at the Massachusetts Municipal Association's annual meeting, said he has misgivings about the social costs associated with allowing casino and slot machines, especially to the state's poorest residents.
But he said he has not yet decided whether the negative aspects of gambling outweighed the potential economic benefits.
Gambling is a perennially divisive issue on Beacon Hill, with the Democratic-controlled Legislature last year killing a bill to add slot machines at state racetracks. Allowing slot machines likely would open the door to full-blown casino gambling by federally recognized Indian tribes in Massachusetts.
The Mashpee Wampanoag tribe has preliminary federal recognition, and is expected to get a final determination by March 31. A separate group, the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head-Aquinnah on Martha's Vineyard, has been the only federally recognized Massachusetts tribe.
Patrick, in his speech at the John B. Hynes Convention Center, said he would close the state's deficit without reducing local aid, and that he even expected municipalities to see a moderate increase in funding. He said savings can be had by giving cities and towns joint purchasing power for everything from snow plows to electricity.
The governor wouldn't offer specifics when community officials pressed him to clarify how much money a "moderate increase" might entail.
"I didn't come here with a big bag of free cash or a series of set mandates," he said.
Patrick warned that providing money for cities and towns will be "neither easy nor instant," and said it would take about a month to come up with a reasonable figure.
One suggestion met with a standing ovation was a "local option tax" that would allow cities and towns to tax certain goods and services with the intent of easing property tax burdens.
"I trust you and your neighbors to determine whether a 1, 2, or 3 percent tax on lunch at the local pub is appropriate," he said.
During a question-and-answer period, former Norfolk School Committee member Rita Advani asked Patrick what he'll do to attract young people and immigrants into cities and towns with shrinking populations.
Patrick, who has been criticized for saying he wants to give the children of illegal immigrants in-state tuition at state colleges, told Advani that affordable housing was the main barrier to keeping young professionals in-state and "the tone we set and the attitude we have" will determine if immigrants are willing to live and work in Massachusetts.
Among other initiatives Patrick suggested:
Rolling back the tax-exempt status for the telecommunications industry;
Charging a "safety fee" to convicted criminals to help pay for additional police patrols in cities and towns;
Investing in more public transportation.
By Associated Press
BOSTON -- Gov. Deval Patrick said on Saturday that he's considering casino gambling and allowing communities to impose new, local taxes as ways to reduce a state budget deficit he has projected at $1 billion.
Patrick, speaking to city and town officials at the Massachusetts Municipal Association's annual meeting, said he has misgivings about the social costs associated with allowing casino and slot machines, especially to the state's poorest residents.
But he said he has not yet decided whether the negative aspects of gambling outweighed the potential economic benefits.
Gambling is a perennially divisive issue on Beacon Hill, with the Democratic-controlled Legislature last year killing a bill to add slot machines at state racetracks. Allowing slot machines likely would open the door to full-blown casino gambling by federally recognized Indian tribes in Massachusetts.
The Mashpee Wampanoag tribe has preliminary federal recognition, and is expected to get a final determination by March 31. A separate group, the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head-Aquinnah on Martha's Vineyard, has been the only federally recognized Massachusetts tribe.
Patrick, in his speech at the John B. Hynes Convention Center, said he would close the state's deficit without reducing local aid, and that he even expected municipalities to see a moderate increase in funding. He said savings can be had by giving cities and towns joint purchasing power for everything from snow plows to electricity.
The governor wouldn't offer specifics when community officials pressed him to clarify how much money a "moderate increase" might entail.
"I didn't come here with a big bag of free cash or a series of set mandates," he said.
Patrick warned that providing money for cities and towns will be "neither easy nor instant," and said it would take about a month to come up with a reasonable figure.
One suggestion met with a standing ovation was a "local option tax" that would allow cities and towns to tax certain goods and services with the intent of easing property tax burdens.
"I trust you and your neighbors to determine whether a 1, 2, or 3 percent tax on lunch at the local pub is appropriate," he said.
During a question-and-answer period, former Norfolk School Committee member Rita Advani asked Patrick what he'll do to attract young people and immigrants into cities and towns with shrinking populations.
Patrick, who has been criticized for saying he wants to give the children of illegal immigrants in-state tuition at state colleges, told Advani that affordable housing was the main barrier to keeping young professionals in-state and "the tone we set and the attitude we have" will determine if immigrants are willing to live and work in Massachusetts.
Among other initiatives Patrick suggested:
Rolling back the tax-exempt status for the telecommunications industry;
Charging a "safety fee" to convicted criminals to help pay for additional police patrols in cities and towns;
Investing in more public transportation.