An Update from Rep. Dykema

Dear Neighbor,

Winter in New England is an espcially nice time of year. I hope you and your family are enjoying a healthy and restful start to 2013.

In the legislature, we began our 2013-14 legislative session on January 2 and priorities for the coming year are shaping up quickly. You can learn more about the bills that I have filed on my website and on the legislature's.

Two issues at the top of the agenda are very important to our communities: transportation and education. The Governor's proposed decrease in the state sales tax and increase in the state income tax to pay for investments in these priority areas is sure to generate significant debate.

The tragedy in Newtown has generated a renewed call to look at gun laws and mental health services, and the proposal for a Milford casino demands greater attention now that the developer has submitted a formal application to the state.

Despite differences of opinion we may have on these issues, there is no question that the outcomes will greatly influence our future.

These are decisions we need to make together. This newsletter includes information that I hope you will find helpful. If there is any additional information I can provide, please let me know.

I look forward to staying in touch.

Yours sincerely,

Investing for Our Future:

I want to hear from you

The Governor outlined his priorities last week during his State of the Commonwealth address. His comments focused on education and transportation - two issues that are crucial to our district.

Over the next several months, the legislature's primary focus will be to finalize a state budget that addresses transportation infrastructure needs while maintaining other important investments like education.

The Governor has already released his preferred budget that lays out an economic vision, proposing to meet tranpsortation and education needs by raising revenue through an increase in the income tax coupled with a decrease in the sales tax, along with other changes. Click here for a summary of the governor's proposal.

The legislature will release its budget proposal in April and it will no doubt be substantially different from the Governor's. But the underlying challenges of how to pay for services that we need and want will remain the same.

Our budget discussions will be further complicated by budget discussions in Congress, the effects of which will trickle down to the state level.

Wherever our budget discussions end up, I believe that we are at a critical time facing crucial choices about our future. Transportation and education both play a key role in our future economic vitality.

In the coming months I will continue to provide you with information on budget discussions and I would welcome your feedack. I am available at upcoming office hours and personal appointments or you can share your comments by phone, mail, email, facebook, and twitter.

These are decisions that we need to make together and I value your input.

Milford Casino Update

As you may know, earlier this week the developer of a proposed casino in Milford was among 11 gaming applicants to submit a $400,000 application fee to the the Massachusetts Gaming Commission. More information about the 11 applicants can be found on the Gaming Commission website. This is the first step in a two-phase application process to award 3 resort casino licenses and one slot parlor license in Massachusetts.

I share the concerns of many of our residents about the effects that such a facility in Milford would have on our region and quality of life. In the coming months, I will be focusing a great deal of my time and attention to making sure that the Gaming Commission clearly understands the concerns of our residents.

While I have always questioned the value of casinos to our Commonwealth, if we are to allow these facilities, I believe that there are more suitable locations than MetroWest.

What is the Process and Timing for issuing casino licenses?

The legislation allows 3 resort casino licenses to be awarded state-wide. Only one of these licenses will be awarded in our region which also includes metro Boston. The developer of the proposed Milford project will be competing with two other casino proposals in the region, one at Suffolk Downs and one in Everett.

The application process consists of two phases. Phase 1 is a financial and background review of the applicants to determine suitability and financial stability. In this phase, all applicants will be subject to a thorough background investigation by the Investigations and Enforcement Bureau of the Commission. This phase has already begun.

Applicants approved in Phase 1 will proceed to Phase 2. In Phase 2, the Gaming Commission will focus on the merits of the site and development proposal, compliance with all statutory and regulatory criteria, and other matters within the Commission's jurisdiction including infrastructure, transportation, public safety and impacts on surrounding communities.

While these schedules are subject to change, proposed timing for the process is:

Summer 2013 anticipate release of Phase 2 applications which will focus on an applicant's site specific plan.
Fall 2013 anticipate announcing approvals of Phase 1 applicants who will then be able to advance to Phase 2.
February 2014 anticipate first resort-casino license to be awarded

The Gaming Commission has a more detailed time table available here. An advisory memo from the Gaming Commission for potential host and surrounding communities can be found here.

Proposed Firearms Legislation

In the wake of the tragedies in Newtown and elsewhere, Massachusetts and many other states are re-examining state policy around firearms and mental health to be sure we are doing all we can to protect our citizens.

While Massachusetts is far ahead of most other states and the nation in regulating the use and ownership of weapons, I believe that we have an important opportunity to better understand the laws that are currently in place and determine whether there's more we can do to prevent gun violence.

As you may know, Governor Patrick and Rep. David Linsky of Natick have recently introduced legislation that proposes specific changes to our state laws. Click here for a summary and full text of the Governor's legislation, here for a summary of Rep. Linsky's proposal and here for a full text of that proposal.

A public discussion of these proposals and others will be taking place over the coming months. Speaker DeLeo recently announced the establishment of a task force that will evaluate feedback from experts and the public and make recommendations by the end of the summer. I will share information on the task force's schedule when the information becomes available.

January 2013 Update

In This Issue

Investments in Our Future

Casino Gaming Update

Proposed Firearms Legislation

Office Hours

Upcoming Office Hours

Residents are encouraged to stop in to the office hours to share concerns, questions and opinions on state issues or simply to chat over a cup of coffee.

As always, if the scheduled office hours are not convenient for you, please call the office at

(617) 722-2210 or email to set up a personal appointment.

Office Hours

Holliston

Friday, February 8

9:30 - 10:30 am

Coffee Haven

76 Railroad Street

Hopkinton

Friday, February 8

8:00 - 9:00 am

Hopkinton Gourmet

43 Main Street

Southborough

Friday, February 15

8:00 - 9:00 am

Red Barn Coffee

20 Turnpike Road (eastbound)

Westborough

Friday, February 15

10:00 - 11:00am

Tatnuck Bookseller

18 Lyman Street

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