Representative Don Humason



CASINO DEBATE ON-DECK Westfield Evening News column By State Representative Don Humason, Jr. April 3, 2010 The House of Representatives met in a relatively brief formal session this week and passed a bill, House Bill 1696, expanding the statute governing assault and battery on certain health care workers to cover all health care providers. This would include nurses, doctors, social workers, psychologists, interns, fellows, or residents, and other employees of a hospital, nursing home, clinic, or public health hospital. According to the Massachusetts Hospital Association, “Hospitals in particular offer twenty-four hour a day, open access to anyone who presents for care and services. Sadly, a more disrespectful and sometimes violent contemporary society has increased the potential for harm to healthcare workers. Hospitals wish to serve as welcoming and safe environments for both patients and workers alike. The creation of heightened penalties for acts of violence committed against health care professionals will advance this interest.” The statute provides for penalties for A&B on a Health Care Provider as imprisonment in a house of corrections for no less than 90 days but no more than 2 ½ years, a fine of at least $500 but no more than $5000 or both imprisonment and a fine. The bill passed the House unanimously. A second bill th at passed the House on Wednesday was House Bill 947, an Act Relative to Liquor License Liability. The bill would prohibit a liquor license from being granted or renewed without proof of a liquor liability insurance policy. The legislation provides fiscal protection for the consumer and fiscal equity within the community of liquor license holders. The big news out of Beacon Hill is that Speaker Robert DeLeo, D-Winthrop, intends to release his long-anticipated and awaited casino legislation that the Legislature is expected to ta ke up shortly. Pro and anti-casino gaming lobbyists were all over the halls of the State House this week. What follows is taken from an April 1 article by the State House News Service: “At a heavily attended press conference, Speaker Robert DeLeo, flanked by members of his leadership team, offered detailed of his expanded gambling legislation Thursday morning. The press conference at the foot of the Grand Staircase was one of the mostly heavily attended i n years, with a heavy concentration of lobbyists, including former lawmakers, with a financial stake in the legislation, which is expected to surface for a vote in the House this month. DeLeo said the bill would be filed later Thursday. Supporters say the bill will produce needed jobs and state revenues. Opponents say the industry will suck money away from other economic sectors and worsen addiction and other problems associated with gambling. Details: -- Authorizes two resort casinos and up to 750 slot machines at the state's two horse racing tracks and two former dog racing tracks. -- All revenue from racetrack slots would go to a Gaming Local Aid Fund until casinos are operational. The fund would receive 30 percent of the tax on gross gaming revenue. -- Delivers $260 million in upfront licensing fees to state government; -- Requires private capital investment of $500 million from each resort casino and $75 million from each track; -- Bill supporters estimate its passage will lead to 15,000 jobs "for the residents of the Commonwealth"; -- Reauthorizes simulcasting rights at the two tracks and two former tracks until July 31, 2014; -- Creates a five-member Massachusetts Gaming Commission to oversee the expanded industry. DeLeo describes the commission as a professional board appointed by a majority vote of the governor, attorney general and treasurer. The commission, funded by industry fees, is charged with handling casino licensing and regulation and would feature an Investigations and Enforcement Bureau, with regulators required to be present at gambling establishments 24/7. -- Establishes a Division of Gaming Enforcement in the attorney general's office to work with the gaming commission to enforce criminal violations of gaming laws; -- Creates a gaming enforcement unit within the State Police; -- Establishes new crimes of money laundering and enterprise crime in connection with industry expansion; -- Establishes a Community Mitigation Fund, which would receive $15 million from licensing fees and 2 percent of the tax on gross gaming revenue. -- Creates a series of funds, financed with licensing and gambling revenues, and focused on public health, capital projects, manufacturing, community colleges, tourism, economic stabilization, and education. If I had to predict, I would say the Speaker has the votes to pass the bill out of the House or else he wouldn’t risk bringing it up and having it defeated on the floor. It remains to be seen what the Senate will do, and, ultimately, whether the Governor will sign the final legislation. I intend to reserve my rights, and my vote, until I see the bill and the amendments that come out on the floor. Reminder: Sarah Latour, and I will hold public office hours at Zuber&rsq uo;s Ice Cream & Deli on Monday, April 5, from 10:30 – 12:00PM. We will be available to meet with Westfield constituents to discuss state matters of concern to them. Zuber’s is located at 98 Southwick Road in Westfield. Enjoy the spring weather at last! Passover and Easter blessings to everyone. * * * Disclaimer: The views expressed in this column are those of the author and not the staff, editor, or publisher of the Westfield Evening News. Representative Don Humason and his Chief of Staff Sarah Latour may be reached at their Westfield District Office, 64 Noble Street, Westfield, MA 01085, 568-1366. Representative Don Humason may be reached at his Boston office, State House Room 542, Boston, MA 02133, (617) 722-2803. Email address: Rep.DonaldHumason@Hou.state.ma.us Website: www.donhumason.org
This Site Designed and Maintained by: The Barre Group

CASINO DEBATE ON-DECK

Westfield Evening News column

By State Representative Don Humason, Jr.

April 3, 2010

The House of Representatives met in a relatively brief formal session this week and passed a bill, House Bill 1696, expanding the statute governing assault and battery on certain health care workers to cover all health care providers. This would include nurses, doctors, social workers, psychologists, interns, fellows, or residents, and other employees of a hospital, nursing home, clinic, or public health hospital.

According to the Massachusetts Hospital Association, “Hospitals in particular offer twenty-four hour a day, open access to anyone who presents for care and services. Sadly, a more disrespectful and sometimes violent contemporary society has increased the potential for harm to healthcare workers. Hospitals wish to serve as welcoming and safe environments for both patients and workers alike. The creation of heightened penalties for acts of violence committed against health care professionals will advance this interest.”

The statute provides for penalties for A&B on a Health Care Provider as imprisonment in a house of corrections for no less than 90 days but no more than 2 ½ years, a fine of at least $500 but no more than $5000 or both imprisonment and a fine. The bill passed the House unanimously.

A second bill th at passed the House on Wednesday was House Bill 947, an Act Relative to Liquor License Liability. The bill would prohibit a liquor license from being granted or renewed without proof of a liquor liability insurance policy. The legislation provides fiscal protection for the consumer and fiscal equity within the community of liquor license holders.

The big news out of Beacon Hill is that Speaker Robert DeLeo, D-Winthrop, intends to release his long-anticipated and awaited casino legislation that the Legislature is expected to ta ke up shortly. Pro and anti-casino gaming lobbyists were all over the halls of the State House this week.

What follows is taken from an April 1 article by the State House News Service: “At a heavily attended press conference, Speaker Robert DeLeo, flanked by members of his leadership team, offered detailed of his expanded gambling legislation Thursday morning.

The press conference at the foot of the Grand Staircase was one of the mostly heavily attended i n years, with a heavy concentration of lobbyists, including former lawmakers, with a financial stake in the legislation, which is expected to surface for a vote in the House this month. DeLeo said the bill would be filed later Thursday.

Supporters say the bill will produce needed jobs and state revenues. Opponents say the industry will suck money away from other economic sectors and worsen addiction and other problems associated with gambling. Details:

-- Authorizes two resort casinos and up to 750 slot machines at the state's two horse racing tracks and two former dog racing tracks.

-- All revenue from racetrack slots would go to a Gaming Local Aid Fund until casinos are operational. The fund would receive 30 percent of the tax on gross gaming revenue.

-- Delivers $260 million in upfront licensing fees to state government;

-- Requires private capital investment of $500 million from each resort casino and $75 million from each track;

-- Bill supporters estimate its passage will lead to 15,000 jobs "for the residents of the Commonwealth";

-- Reauthorizes simulcasting rights at the two tracks and two former tracks until July 31, 2014;

-- Creates a five-member Massachusetts Gaming Commission to oversee the expanded industry. DeLeo describes the commission as a professional board appointed by a majority vote of the governor, attorney general and treasurer. The commission, funded by industry fees, is charged with handling casino licensing and regulation and would feature an Investigations and Enforcement Bureau, with regulators required to be present at gambling establishments 24/7.

-- Establishes a Division of Gaming Enforcement in the attorney general's office to work with the gaming commission to enforce criminal violations of gaming laws;

-- Creates a gaming enforcement unit within the State Police;

-- Establishes new crimes of money laundering and enterprise crime in connection with industry expansion;

-- Establishes a Community Mitigation Fund, which would receive $15 million from licensing fees and 2 percent of the tax on gross gaming revenue.

-- Creates a series of funds, financed with licensing and gambling revenues, and focused on public health, capital projects, manufacturing, community colleges, tourism, economic stabilization, and education.

If I had to predict, I would say the Speaker has the votes to pass the bill out of the House or else he wouldn’t risk bringing it up and having it defeated on the floor. It remains to be seen what the Senate will do, and, ultimately, whether the Governor will sign the final legislation. I intend to reserve my rights, and my vote, until I see the bill and the amendments that come out on the floor.

Reminder: Sarah Latour, and I will hold public office hours at Zuber&rsq uo;s Ice Cream & Deli on Monday, April 5, from 10:30 – 12:00PM. We will be available to meet with Westfield constituents to discuss state matters of concern to them. Zuber’s is located at 98 Southwick Road in Westfield.

Enjoy the spring weather at last! Passover and Easter blessings to everyone.

* * *

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this column are those of the author and not the staff, editor, or publisher of the Westfield Evening News.

Representative Don Humason and his Chief of Staff Sarah Latour may be reached at their Westfield District Office, 64 Noble Street, Westfield, MA 01085, 568-1366. Representative Don Humason may be reached at his Boston office, State House Room 542, Boston, MA 02133, (617) 722-2803. Email address: Rep.DonaldHumason@Hou.state.ma.us Website: www.donhumason.org