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Bangor Councillors Want Waiting Period for Slot Bills

BANGOR, Maine – As reported by the Bangor Daily News: "After having witnessed the barrage of slots-related bills that went before state lawmakers last session, city councillors are calling for a three-year waiting period before any substantive changes are made to existing state law.

"A resolve urging the state's legislative and executive branches to support a three-year moratorium on further changes to state slots law will appear on the council's Sept. 24 meeting agenda. The resolve was among the city issues tackled during a meeting Wednesday of the council's business and economic development committee, chaired by Councilor Dan Tremble.

"The idea is to allow some time to study the effects of current regulations before making substantive changes that could either scuttle or expand slots operations in Maine, City Manager Edward Barrett said. The moratorium would not apply to minor technical changes, he said.

"…While city officials acknowledged the Legislature can do whatever it wants, the resolve would at minimum put the city's position on the record, City Solicitor Norman Heitmann said. It also would allow city staff to take actions consistent with that position.

"Slot machines became legal here as the result of a 2003 statewide referendum.

"As it stands, however, Bangor is the only municipality in the state that provided the needed local approval…"

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