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Maine Racino Bill Clears Hurdle

AUGUSTA, Maine – As reported by the Bangor Daily: "Members of the Maine House of Representatives opened the door for new tribal racino legislation Thursday but additional votes are needed in the Senate, where the outcome remains uncertain.

"The House voted 98-44 to have the Legislature's Legal and Veterans Affairs Committee develop and report out a bill calling for a referendum to permit a tribal commercial racetrack and slot machines in Washington County. The House sustained a gubernatorial veto Tuesday on similar legislation approved last June, partly because the date for the proposed statewide vote had already passed.

"…Senate Majority Leader Michael Brennan, D-Portland, said that despite the overwhelming vote of support in the House, proponents of the tribal racino should not anticipate a similar reception in the Senate.

"…The tribe is pushing for a quick turnaround on the racino bill, which supporters would like to have on the House floor before Jan. 30. The best-case scenario for the tribe, according to Passamaquoddy Tribal Rep. Fred Moore, would be a June vote on the question held in Washington County only. The tribe is currently collecting petition signatures to meet a separate Jan. 30 deadline in order to place the racino proposal before voters in a statewide referendum in November…"

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