Racino’s chances could be riding on county referendum

Efforts to bring a tribal racino to Washington County are taking a multi-pronged approach, with a legislative solution now being sought, along with the petition drive for a statewide referendum. The legislative proposal calls for a referendum vote on the racino only in Washington County.

According to Passamaquoddy Representative Fred Moore III, on January 11 legislators were considering a joint order of the House of Representatives and the Senate directing the Legal and Veterans Affairs Committee to report out a bill authorizing a referendum to authorize a tribally owned commercial harness racing track with slot machines in Washington County. Under the proposal, the Washington County Commissioners would hold a special election in the county to seek approval for the tribal racino. The county referendum likely would be held in June. With legislative and county approval, the racino would not require a statewide vote.

"The joint order is being worked on as a bipartisan legislative solution," says Moore, adding that the measure is being coordinated with House leadership and the Washington County legislative delegation. He expected that it could be presented in the legislature on January 12.

The racino proposal has recently picked up additional support, with the Washington County Economic Development Task Force voting, at a January 11 meeting in Machias, to support the racetrack and the Washington County referendum concept. The Washington County Commissioners have also written a letter of support.

The latest legislative twist to the racino proposal came as the House failed to overturn Governor John Baldacci's veto of a similar bill that called for a statewide referendum on the issue. On January 6, Baldacci, as promised, vetoed the legislation, which had been approved by the legislature in June. Moore says the House vote of 77 to 63 against the bill was "irrelevant," since supporters of the measure "elected not to try to override the veto." A two-thirds vote was needed to overturn the governor's veto.

Last June, the legislature had approved a bill sponsored by Moore for a tribal racino in Washington County, which was vetoed by the governor, and then approved a second bill, which added a requirement for a statewide referendum. Baldacci then indicated that he would veto that bill when the legislature returned to session.

In the meantime, supporters of the proposal have been conducting a petition drive to have the issue placed on the November 2006 ballot. Moore says over 40,000 signatures have been collected, and he expects over 62,000 will be submitted to the Secretary of State's office by January 30, the deadline for getting the question on the November 2006 ballot. A total of 50,519 signatures are needed to have the issue placed on the ballot.

"We're now getting underway with a signature drive in Washington County," reports Moore, with a group of petition circulators meeting in Calais on January 11.

The legislation would allow for the racino to be within 45 miles of the tribe's reservations in Washington County but would require that it be more than 90 miles for the nearest commercial racetrack. Moore says Calais is the front-runner for the location, because the city has consistently supported the tribe's efforts to bring gaming to the state and has been a good partner with the tribe's other efforts. But he adds, "It's good for Washington County no matter where it's at."