Racino backers press Baldacci Passamaquoddy try to fend off veto

CALAIS – Supporters of a proposed racino in Washington County issued last-minute appeals to Gov. John Baldacci on Monday, asking him not to veto the bill the Legislature recently approved allowing horse racing and slot machines at a facility to be run by the Passamaquoddy Tribe.

Baldacci said last week that he would veto the racino bill if it reached his desk on the basis that the legislation was not “sustainable economic development.”

Baldacci’s press secretary said Monday that the governor might veto the bill today.

“It’s the governor’s position and has been for the past several months that he does not support, nor does he plan to [support], any expansion of casino gambling in Maine,” press secretary Lynn Kippax said Monday.

For years now, the Passamaquoddy Tribe has tried to build a gambling facility in Washington County, possibly in Calais.

At one time, Baldacci supported such a venture.

In 1993, then state Sen. Baldacci signed onto a gambling bill sponsored by former Sen. Harry Vose. Had it been approved, LD 1266 would have allowed the Passamaquoddy Tribe to construct a casino in Calais for the “purposes of gambling.” “He was a co-sponsor,” Kippax said, trying to explain the governor’s position.

Has the governor flip-flopped?

Kippax said no. “I don’t think it’s a flip-flop. I think what the governor realizes is there are better ways to grow the Maine economy than through gambling.”

Former Calais City Councilor Nancy Gillis doesn’t want a veto and sent Baldacci a letter Monday. “A lot of people in Washington County put their faith in you a few years ago when they voted because they felt that you actually cared what happened in Down East, Maine. Please re-consider your stance on this bill and help the hardworking people of Washington County finally come out of this economic depression,” she wrote.

Cary Royer, a downtown retailer, also issued a written plea. “I am truly disappointed in your stance on the Racino subject. I personally believe the people of the Great State of Maine did the Native American people a great injustice by voting down their plan for a casino [in southern Maine], but then voting in a plan for a racino by an out-of-state entity [in Bangor],” he wrote. “Now the Native American people are just asking for a like arrangement and you feel that they nor the people of Washington County deserve it. I was ashamed by the last vote, and felt that this might be an opportunity for the state to right a wrong.”

Baileyville Town Manager Scott Harriman submitted a resolution approved by the Town Council in support of the racino. He also urged the governor to support the bill. “The economic impact of this facility, while not a panacea for all of our economic ills, would certainly be a shot in the arm for Washington County,” he wrote.

The bill would allow Maine’s Passamaquoddy Tribe to operate up to 1,500 slot machines, a horse racing track and, potentially, a high stakes bingo hall, hotel and other facilities somewhere in Washington County.

Sponsored by Passamaquoddy Tribal Rep. Fred Moore, the legislation requires proceeds to be distributed, in part, to Maine’s three other tribes, county development initiatives, and to provide dedicated funding benefiting the harness racing industry and college scholarships.

The bill also requires municipal approval to operate slot machines before the tribe will be eligible to receive a slots-operating license at whatever location it selects.

Although the tribe has not said publicly, there are reports it is looking closely at a site in Calais.

On Friday, the Senate gave final approval to LD 1573, authorizing a Washington County Tribal Commercial Track and Racino.

The bill also recently cleared the House by a vote of 87-46.

The 19-15 Senate vote was close. “The vote was largely along geographic lines, with senators from the 2nd Congressional District voting 14-4 in favor, while those from southern Maine’s 1st Congressional District voted 11-5 against it,” Sen. Kevin Raye, R-Perry, said in a prepared statement Monday.

People Down East are convinced that where one lives plays a major role in Maine politics. Many sport a bumper sticker that says, “I live in the other Maine.”

Raye called on Baldacci to sign the bill. “The economic conditions that prompted then-Sen. John Baldacci to support a Calais casino 12 years ago still exist. In fact, they have worsened. I hope the governor will do the right thing for Washington County, and sign the bill,” he said.