THE HOUSE AND SENATE. Beacon Hill Roll Call records local representatives' votes on three roll calls from prior legislative sessions.

All of the roll calls are on proposed amendments to the bill that would authorize two resort casinos and up to 3,000 slot machines - 750 at each of the state's two horse racing tracks and two former dog racing tracks.

There were no roll calls in the House or Senate last week. Both branches met only in informal sessions as they do every year during April school vacation week.

BAN MARKETING TO ADDICTED GAMBLERS (H 4591)

House 80-76, approved an amendment to a section of the casino bill that allows problem gamblers to voluntarily request that their names be placed on a "self-exclusion" list. The amendment would prohibit casinos from marketing to anyone on the list.

Amendment supporters said that these addicted gamblers should have the right to opt out of direct marketing campaigns that entice them to gamble.

Amendment opponents said that the amendment goes too far and is another example of the Legislature trying to interfere with the free market system and micromanage the gaming industry.

(A "Yes" vote is for the amendment that would prohibit casinos from marketing to anyone on the "self-exclusion" list. A "No" vote is against the prohibition.)

Rep. Thomas Calter, No                                      Rep. Daniel Webster, No                                      

SLOT MACHINES MUST POST ODDS (H 4591)

House 20-137, rejected an amendment that would require the odds of a player getting each winning combination at a slot machine to be posted in a conspicuous place in 18-point type at each machine.

Amendment supporters said that this would ensure that players are informed that the odds are overwhelmingly against winning on a slot machine.

Amendment opponents said that the amendment goes too far and would require the listing of so many odds that the sign would be up to three times larger than the machine itself.

(A "Yes" vote is for the amendment that would require the posting of the odds. A "No" vote is against the requirement.)

Rep. Thomas Calter, No                                      Rep. Daniel Webster, No                                      

BACKGROUND CHECKS ON PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYEES (H 4591)

House 45-112, rejected an amendment that would require that the newly-created state gaming commission conduct a specific background check on all applicants for jobs with the commission, including a complete criminal history, convictions and current charges for all felonies and misdemeanors. The commission would also be required to conduct drug tests on applicants and obtain fingerprints and a photograph.

The amendment would replace a section of the legislation that allowed but did not require the commission to obtain all that information.

Amendment supporters said that it is essential to make every effort to ensure that potential employees have a clean background if they are to be hired to work in this "tempting" business.

Amendment opponents offered no arguments.

(A "Yes" vote is for the amendment requiring background checks and other information. A "No" vote is against the requirement.

Rep. Thomas Calter, No                                      Rep. Daniel Webster, Yes                                     

ALSO UP ON BEACON HILL

GOV. PATRICK SIGNS INTO LAW A MEASURE BANNING DEVOCALIZATION OF DOGS AND CATS (H 344) - Gov. Patrick signed "Logan’s Law," a bill that would ban devocalization, the practice of cutting vocal cords to stifle or remove an animal's voice. The measure does allow vocal cord surgery on dogs and cats to treat disease, injury or birth defects. The law was named in memory of a show dog whose breeder had him devocalized and then didn't want him when he stopped winning blue ribbons.

Supporters say this ban will protect countless animals from a cruel convenience surgery that commonly results in complications regardless of the veterinarian's skill. They may range from difficulty breathing to chronic gagging and even death, according to Leslie Burg of the grassroots Coalition to Protect and Rescue Pets, the bill's sponsor. She notes that devocalization appears to be most prevalent among breeders and others who keep many animals for profit or hobby. Gayle Fitzpatrick of the Friends of the Plymouth Pound, who rescued Logan, says hearing him cough and retch, wheeze and rasp every day as a result of this selfish and needless surgery was "heart-wrenching." She notes, "Devocalized animals are abandoned like other dogs and cats. Convenience surgeries like devocalization and declawing don't keep them in good homes. Owners who choose, care for and train animals responsibly and humanely do."

PROPOSITION 2 1/2 (H 4618) - A bill approved by the House Ways and Means Committee includes a provision that would allow cities and towns, without voter approval on a ballot, to increase property tax revenue by an amount equal to the  money in the community's overlay account. These overlay accounts contain funds that communities set aside for property tax abatements for property owners whose properties have been overassessed.   

Proposition 2 1/2 currently limits annual local property tax increases to 2.5 percent of the prior year's tax plus new growth unless voters override that limit on a ballot question.

Estimates of the amount of money in these overlay accounts range from $164 million to $500 million.

Some supporters say that communities could use the estimated $164 million in new revenue to pay for important local services. House Ways and Means Chairman Charles Murphy (D-Burlington) says that the provision would allow for a single overlay account to be created in each community to fund only anticipated property tax abatements, exemptions and uncollected taxes, not general operating costs. He notes that the funds could not be used for general operating costs and argues that because of the tightly defined purpose for the money, there is no incentive for communities to raise more than what is needed.

Amendment opponents, led by Citizens for Limited Taxation’s (CLT) Barbara Anderson, say that the amendment violates Proposition 2 1/2 by allowing communities, without approval by the voters on a ballot question, to raise local property taxes above the limits currently imposed by Proposition 2 1/2.  They argue that this move is simply an outrageous property tax hike which could total $500 million. They note that communities already have the ability to override Prop 2 1/2 at an election and argue that if local officials want to exclude the overlay account to raise taxes, they should put that idea on the local ballot like any other override.

POSSIBLE 2010 BALLOT QUESTIONS - The Revenue Committee held a hearing on a citizen initiative petition to repeal the new 6.25 percent tax on beer, wine and liquor sold at package stores and other retail outlets (H 4454). Also on the committee's agenda was another petition to reduce the general sales tax from 6.25 to three percent (H 4456). The Legislature has until May to act on these measures. Any proposals that are not approved by the Legislature need another 11,099 signatures by July in order to appear on the 2010 ballot.

BAN CIRCUMCISION (S 1777) - The Senate rejected a measure filed by private citizen Charles Antonelli of Quincy that would ban male circumcision of anyone under the age of 18 unless medically necessary. The proposal would impose a fine and/or up to 14 years in prison on anyone who violates this ban. Antonelli is the Massachusetts director of MGMbill.org - a group working to ban what it calls "male genital mutilation."

QUOTABLE QUOTES - Special edition on reaction to proposed changes in Proposition 2 1/2 that would allow communities, without voter approval on a ballot, to increase property tax revenue by an amount equal to the money in the community's overlay account.

"There is nothing wrong with Massachusetts that a property tax increase will fix."

–– Barbara Anderson, executive director of Citizens for Limited Taxation (CLT)

"This is not an 'assault' on Proposition 2 1/2."

–– House Ways and Means Chairman Charles Murphy (D-Burlington)

"I will not sign a bill that includes that language."

–– Gov. Deval Patrick

"Make no mistake, this is nothing but a backdoor method to raise taxes."

–– State Treasurer Timothy Cahill who is also an independent candidate for governor

"In a Baker Administration, this legislation would be dead on arrival."

Republican gubernatorial candidate Charles Baker

Beacon Hill Roll Call

Volume 36 - Report No. 16

April 23, 2010

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