MISSION >>
The Connecticut Alliance Against Casino Expansion is a coalition
of business, civic, religious, and grassroots organizations,
legislators, municipal officials, and individual citizens
dedicated to the prevention of casino expansion in Connecticut.
We must:
- Educate citizens, businesses, and legislators about the
negative impact of casinos on Connecticut.
- Lobby state and federal legislators on the issues.
- Pass state environmental legislation that would require
casino proponents to conduct environmental impact studies
and pay for any necessary remedies.
- Seek federal legislation to reform the Bureau of Indian
Affair's tribal recognition process.
HISTORY >>
As a result of a
lax tribal recognition process, the Federal Indian Gaming
Regulatory Act of 1988 (IGRA), and Connecticut's "Las
Vegas Nights" legal loophole, the Mashantucket Pequot
and Mohegan tribes were allowed to open casinos in Connecticut--casinos
that have become two of the largest in the world.
Backed by investors
like Donald Trump, additional groups in Connecticut are seeking
tribal recognition and the rights to build up to twelve additional
casinos from Danbury to Union and Bridgeport to North Stonington.
October, 2002: The
Connecticut Alliance Against Casino Expansion was formed to
stop the proliferation of casinos in our state by raising
awareness of the negative socioeconomic impact of gambling.
Incorporation announced 10/24/02 at the state capital.
January,
2003-2006: The Connecticut Alliance successfully
led the fight to repeal the "Las Vegas Nights" law,
banning new tribes from opening new casinos in the state.
May,
2003-2006: Members of the Connecticut Alliance led the
campaign that stripped a proposed bill of language that threatened
to undermine the Las Vegas Nights repeal.
September, 2003-2006: The Connecticut Alliance announces an environmental
initiative aimed at traffic, road construction, and water
supply as it relates to the expansion of Foxwoods Casino.
Since
October, 2003-2006, The Connecticut Alliance has continued its public
awareness campaign
on the issues surrounding casino expansion in Connecticut.
In May 2005 Jeff Benedict released a commentary on the true
cost of gambling to the state and the social impact of casino
gambling addiction. This commentary was published in
the Hartford Courant, Stamford Advocate, Norwalk Hour, and
Greenwich time in two parts.
Over the past
three years, the Alliance has supported other states in their
battles against casino development. Members of the Board
have offered testimony in Albany, NY, Boston, MA, and Sullivan
County, NY.
In addition,
Board members were present and spoke at committee hearings in
Washington, DC, concerning the flawed tribal recognition
process.
We continue to
monitor casino "enlargement" in CT and further hearings in DC.
LEADERSHIP
>>
Board of Directors
Bob Bose, Co-Chair, Danbury
Mary Beth Gorke-Felice, Co-Chair,
Woodstock
Woody Bliss, First
Selectman, Weston
Tracy Collins,
Westport
Wes Johnson, former
Mayor of Ledyard
Rudy Marconi, First Selectman, Ridgefield
Joe McGee, Southwest
Area Commerce and Industry Association, Fairfield
Mac Turner, North Stonington
FUNDING >>
The financial backers of casinos and groups seeking federal
tribal recognition are spending millions of dollars on their
efforts. The overwhelming financial advantage that casino
proponents have over the Connecticut Alliance is daunting,
but with your help we can continue to make a difference.
Donations to the Connecticut Alliance
enable us to:
- Lobby state and federal legislators
- Organize letter writing campaigns to state and federal
legislators
- Enlist legal and expert representation and research
- Hold public forums to educate the citizens of Connecticut
on the issues surrounding gambling in our state
- Produce and distribute newsletters
- Produce and maintain our web site
VOLUNTEERS >>
Supporting the Connecticut Alliance
takes a minimal amount of time. You can help stop casino expansion
in our state in any of the following ways:
If you would like to organize a group in your area and would
like information on what has been done elsewhere in the state,
call 1-866-6NO-DICE or send an email to
afelice@earthlink.net
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