Politics & Government

Selectmen Pushing for Repeal of State Gambling Legislation

With a petition to repeal the Massachusetts gaming laws nearing the threshold to be considered for the 2014 ballot, it should come as no surprise that the Foxboro Board of Selectmen are looking to join the effort to repeal the laws passed in 2011.

The board, which has taken a stance against gaming in the past, voted recently to have selectman Ginny Coppola and acting town manager Bob Cuter write a letter to write a letter to state Senator Jim Timily and Rep. Jay Barrows to encourage them to allow a ballot question to repeal the legislation for the 2014 elections.

The Sun Chronicle added that four members of the board have signed the petition and a fifth member, John Gray, said he would sign if more signatures are needed.

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A petition needs 68,911 signatures to be considered as a ballot question. If the state legislature does not address the petition, an additional 11,485 signatures can automatically put the question on the ballot.

While the office of the Secretary of State did receive more signatures than needed, Attorney General Martha Coakley ruled the question unconstitutional because it would mean taking property from casino developers without compensation according to the Boston Globe.

Find out what's happening in Foxboroughwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Former Attorney General Scott Harshbarger however, disagreed Coakley and hopes the state's judicial supreme court hears an appeal next year.

While an effort to bring a casino to Route 1 in Foxboro proved to be unpopular, a slots only casino may appear at Plainridge Raceway in neighboring Plainville. 

Of the four towns in Massachusetts that surround Plainville, only Foxboro has yet to sign their host agreement with facility operator Penn National.


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