Lawmakers mull proposal to study casino gambling

AUGUSTA – The Legislature is considering a proposal to begin a state-sponsored study of the impact a casino would have on Maine.

A resolve introduced Thursday calls for the formation of a 14-member fact-finding task force, made up of lawmakers, law enforcement and transportation officials, and members of the public.

Casino backers said they would welcome such a study, but opponents criticized the makeup of the task force and questioned the use of state money to finance the study.

The Penobscot and Passamaquoddy tribes have proposed building a $400 million to $600 million casino and resort in Kittery, but decided to wait until next year to seek approval from the Legislature.

Rep. Roderick Carr, R-Lincoln, said he submitted the resolve calling for the study after a much-anticipated casino bill never materialized this session.

“There needs to be some information gathered. It needs to come from a source that’s impartial,” he said.

The legislation was referred by the House to the Business and Economic Development Committee and the Legal and Veterans Affairs Committee for a public hearing. The hearing will be held at 1 p.m. Monday in the Legal and Veterans Affairs Committee room.

The task force would look at such questions as the amount of taxes generated by a casino, the number of jobs realized by its construction and operation, and the new or increased services a casino would require.

Findings and any recommendations would be reported to the Legislature by next January.

Tribal lobbyist Jon Doyle said it is the Legislature’s prerogative to form a task force to study the issue. “It gives people a forum to discuss it. That’s important,” he said.

But the Christian Civic League of Maine, which opposes a casino, said the study is unnecessary because people are already discussing the issue at rallies and Town Council meetings in Kittery.

“I think the misguided people that want to inflict this casino on the people of Maine should have to produce the research on this stuff, not the taxpayers,” said Michael Heath, the league’s director.