Racinos' fate rests with voters
The Senate yesterday voted against a bill authorizing racinos in Biddeford and Calais, a move that sends the measure to a statewide vote in November.
The Senate voted 19-15 against LD 1203, which would have allowed horse-racing track Scarborough Downs to relocate to Biddeford and add slot machines, as well as the Passamaquoddy Tribe to operate a racino in Washington County, according to MaineToday Media. Both groups gathered enough signatures to put the initiatives on the ballot in November. Earlier this month, the Senate rejected a bill that would have authorized a casino in Lewiston, also sending that proposal to voters later this year. The Legislature previously supported all three proposals in preliminary votes, but Gov. Paul LePage said he would veto the bills because he believes voters should decide the projects' ultimate fates. The Senate and House initially approved the bill to bring racinos to southern and Down East Maine, while lawmakers split on supporting the Lewiston bill.
In related news, the Legislature is expected to vote again on a measure to allow Hollywood Slots in Bangor to add table games, according to the Bangor Daily News. The House yesterday gave initial approval to an amended version of the bill, which now requires voters in Penobscot County, not just Bangor, to approve the project if lawmakers pass it. The bill's backers modified it to stave off a LePage veto.
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