Several local lawmakers are presenting gambling bills before the Legal and Veterans Affairs Committee on Monday.
Rep. Sheryl Briggs, D-Mexico, has a proposal that would double the number of players allowed to play games of chance, including licensed card games such as “Texas hold ’em,” from 40 players to 80 players.
A bill sponsored by Rep. Sawin Millett, R-Waterford, would allow a casino to be built in Oxford County, pending local voter approval of the municipality hosting the facility. It would also remove the limit of slot machines that can be registered in Maine and place a 10 year moratorium on other casinos to be built in the state, with the exception of commercial race tracks.
Millett has said he’s proposing the bill because last fall Oxford County voters approved a similar proposal to build a casino locally, though the measure failed to receive statewide approval.
Sen. Margaret Craven, D-Lewiston, has a proposal that would allow non-profit organizations that are already authorized to operate games of chance, like beano, to operate video gamings terminals.
More marriage talk
The Judiciary Committee is scheduled to begin work on a bill that would allow same-sex marriage, sponsored by Sen. Dennis Damon, D-Trenton, on Tuesday. The public hearing on the controversial proposal brought more than 3,500 people to the Augusta Civic Center last week.
Sometimes committees work on bills several times before taking a vote, but it’s possible members could vote on the marriage measure during Tuesday’s meeting. Local lawmakers on the committee include Reps. Mike Beaulieu, R-Auburn, and Jarrod Crockett, R-Bethel, and Sen. David R. Hastings III, R-Fryeburg.
Local control for taxes?
A pair of bills headed to the Taxation Committee would grant local municipalities the power to increase certain taxes locally, if approved by local referendum.
One bill, sponsored by Rep. Patsy Crockett, D-Augusta, would allow municipalities to increase the sales tax by up to three percent. Another, sponsored by Rep. Elspeth Flemings, D-Bar Harbor, would allow them to increase the lodging and/or meals tax by up to four percent. Both Crockett and Flemings serve on the Taxation Committee.
More than 40 other states allow for local option sales or income taxes, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.
Sparking controversy
A proposal by Sen. Walter Gooley, R-Farmington, is sure to cause some fireworks in the Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee on Friday.
Gooley is calling for Maine to lift it’s ban on the sale and use of fireworks. His bill stipulates only people aged 21 or older with no prior convictions pertaining to fireworks or explosives would be eligible to purchase the products.
The bill is not listed as an emergency measure, so even if it passes the Legislature, residents would be out of luck this Fourth of July.
-Rebekah Metzler
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