Massachusetts Anti-Casino Ballot Question Gets Nixed by State AG

A citizens’ anti-gambling effort has been shot down by the State’s Attorney General
While the state of Massachusetts is gearing up for rapid expansion of gambling in the state, not everybody has been excited about the move. That is why some anti-gambling activists there have actually created a petition in an effort to force a vote that is statewide set up casino projects is able to maneuver ahead.
Those who are against the casinos that are new able to gather enough signatures to send the ballot question forward to the attorney general’s office. But regrettably for them, the state solicitor however a stop towards the move, saying that the ballot question wouldn’t be legal under the state’s ballot effort process.
Constitutional Provisions Preclude Ballot Question
Underneath the present state Constitution, the ballot initiative process is included in Article 48. That article not only describes the process for getting concern in the ballot, but additionally establishes exactly what can and may not be included in such questions. One of the guidelines for proposals states that they cannot hinder an entity’s ‘right to receive settlement for private property appropriated to public use’.
According to state solicitor Peter Sacks, if the concern were to be authorized by the public, thus closing the casino deals immediately, it would just take the casino developers’ contract rights away without the payment. It would […]


