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Indian Casino Expansion in Maine Awaits Governor Approval
BANGOR, MAINE --
In the great state of Maine, a new casino expansion bill to allow 100 slots on the Penobscot Indian reservation near Old Town is on its way to Governor John Baldacci's office after receiving needed House and Senate approval.
Senators in the state voted 23-12 today to approve the new piece of legislation, which was slimmed-down from its previous version that would have allowed 400 slot machines. The House also gave its final stamp Thursday, by a 98-34 vote.
Despite the overwhelming support in the State Congresss, the future is in question, given Governor John Baldacci's opposition and track-record of vetoing casino gambling expansion legislation. A 2/3 vote by the House and Senate is needed to override a veto.
Supporters say the Penobscots need the casino revenue to run community services. Opponents say Maine voters just last fall rejected a gambling proposal for Washington County.
Casino expansion has been debated all over the country recently. Massachusetts recently shot-down a bill that would have increased gambling, while a state like Florida has recently approved table games and Vegas-style slots on Seminole Indian reservations, totally over $3 billion per year in casino revenue in 1 South Florida county alone.
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Recent Comments
| Posted by Stephen J. Romanoff, Ph.D. on 12/15/2009 02:58:19 PM EST |
| Denying Maine's Native Americans the opportunity to own and run casinos in order to improve their lives while allowing Hollywood Slots in Bangor is the worst kind of hypocrisy for Maine's Legislature and Governor. |
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