They could face each other in a Democratic primary, but one thing Mayor Joe Ganim and State Senator Marilyn Moore agree on, Connecticut’s largest city as a gaming destination.
Prepared remarks by State Senator Marilyn Moore, a candidate for mayor:
Proposed H.B. 7055 An Act Creating the Connecticut Gaming Commission and Creating A Competitive Bidding Process for a Resort Casino
Senator Bradley, Representative Verrengia, ranking members, and members of the Public Safety and Security Committee, thank you for the opportunity to present testimony here today regarding House Bill 7055.
My name is Marilyn Moore, I am a State Senator representing the 22nd Senatorial District which includes Bridgeport, Trumbull, and Monroe. I am a lifelong Bridgeport resident.
I am here today to give testimony regarding the creation of a Gaming Commission and competitive bidding for a resort casino.
Almost a year ago the Bridgeport delegation presented testimony in support of competitive bidding, and the marketing for the casino has not let up. And just as then, the delegation is supportive of the legislation.
The residents in Bridgeport are hungry for an economic engine to ignite opportunities in a city that has been waiting for something to bring it back to life. We would hope Bridgeport would be the destination selected since we have all the attributes to make it accessible; waterfront, rail, and airport.
The current legislation created this year is broader and more appropriate as it sets the stage for gaming in Connecticut by creating a Gaming Commission to oversee the process and report to the committee of cognizance its review of their findings. Furthermore, it puts in place safeguards that only those who are serious entities participate by requiring the responder pay a one-time licensing free of not less than fifty million dollars and protects the State by requiring a proposal to mitigate revenue loss.
These safeguards persuade me to support this legislation.
We as legislators, have an opportunity to craft legislation that is fair and equitable to anyone who is qualified to participate in the bidding process and to determine how the future of gaming plays a role in our quality of life, our vision for Connecticut, and our financial stability.
The legislation proposed requires a workforce development plan that maintains 2,000 jobs. I would clarify that by adding 2,000 full time jobs, and if Bridgeport is the destination, the training should be anchored in Bridgeport.
If we are to have casinos off tribal lands, let’s get it done in a fair, and transparent manner. The final legislation should ensure that the General Assembly has all the safeguards in place before awarding the contract.
Prepared remarks from Mayor Joe Ganim:
Mayor Ganim today provided testimony in a Public Hearing to the Public Safety and Security Committee of the Connecticut General Assembly regarding House Bill 7055. Below is the testimony as reported to the committee:
“My name is Joe Ganim, Mayor of Bridgeport–Connecticut’s largest city. Today, I am submitting testimony in support of House Bill 7055 An Act Creating the Connecticut Gaming Commission and Creating a Competitive Bidding Process for a Resort-Casino.
“I am in strong support of an open, transparent, and fair process for the expansion of gaming in the State of Connecticut. I am not necessarily pro-MGM or pro-tribes, but rather, pro-Bridgeport. I believe that Bridgeport is a great city with a unique potential to help bring economic activity and vitality to the region.
“I am in strong support of this legislation because I know the positive impact that a potential resort-casino on the waterfront in Bridgeport would have for the region. The economic development, number of jobs, and amount of additional revenue–both for the State and our municipalities–that a resort-casino would bring to Bridgeport and to the region are too great to pass up.
“Bridgeport is currently experiencing one of the largest waterfront developments at Steele Point and Seaview Plaza on the East Coast of the United States. Strategically located between New York City and Boston, Bridgeport possesses both the workforce and the transportation infrastructure necessary to support a new resort-casino in the region. In fact, Bridgeport has access to I-95, Route 8, the Merritt Parkway, Metro North service, Amtrak service, the airport, and the Long Island Ferry, allowing for convenient transportation both for workers and visitors alike.
“Bridgeport is a city with so much potential for growth, and we can see that with the number of economic development projects that are currently underway in the city. A resort-casino would make Bridgeport a destination for so many, and would put Connecticut’s largest city on the next level. Such an attraction would be the closest major attraction of its type to New York City–closer than Atlantic City–and more attractive than the slot machines at the racetrack in Yonkers.
“I can attest to the fact the vast majority of my constituents are in support of a resort-casino development in Bridgeport because they know the positive economic impact and the tax relief that it would bring. And, they are excited about new opportunities for entertainment, shopping, and dining that would become available to them.
“Many of the people that I have spoken to in Bridgeport and in the region are also excited about the number of jobs that this development will create. We are talking about many thousands of construction jobs, and at least 2,000 permanent jobs post-construction. This is an economic game-changer for so many that live in my city and around Connecticut.
“Furthermore, a resort-casino development worth hundreds of millions of dollars on Bridgeport’s waterfront will only be the beginning. If such an attraction were to come to Bridgeport, it will undoubtedly unleash a renewed interest in Bridgeport and its surrounding towns, and the resulting economic activity and development will be felt throughout the entire region.
“I urge the committee as it considers HB 7055 to allow for an open, transparent, and fair process to unfold and to allow for anyone who is qualified to compete for the opportunity to expand gaming in our state. I urge the committee to take very seriously the potential for increased economic activity, more jobs, and additional revenue that the expansion of gaming, especially a resort-casino in Bridgeport, would bring to the State of Connecticut.
“I believe in Bridgeport’s potential, and I urge this committee to pass HB 7055 and support the growth of the Bridgeport economy.”
Thank you Senator Moore. All good points. Especially about training. That was the most blatant pandering move by Joe Ganim when he agreed to have the training center in New Haven. All to make nice with Mayor Toni Harp at the expense of Bridgeporters looking for a job. Thank you.
What’s not making any since about those who are expressing the negative impact of addiction gamblers. It seems that it’s really not about those issues with regard to an East Windors casino to those who are for it. But in actuality a cheaper saw dust East Windors casino is not proposed to draw out of state gamblers from Springfield MGM’s casino. It’s to keep CT gamblers in . So in essence it’s more of a negative impact on CT and it’s residents then a Bridgeport casino. At least Bridgeport’s Casino targets NY residents. Where’s the casino Going, someone find Carmine JS 🙂 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CuqJdlZNQ8s,
Sense,
Wherever those gamblers come from don’t put your feet on the table. 🙂 JS https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9II4W_RiN-o
I see the problem here, “smart phones” 🙂
To the lady with the glasses just remember Sikorski’s is a military apparatus. So to keep those decent paying jobs booming there has to be bombing and killing. JS
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hWuP6dmYOE0
And Christians, Muslims, Jews or the morally the righteous. What say you about the lady’s who wants to bomb and killing people to create decent paying jobs for the Port’s residents over entertainment of gaming? .JS
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3CPjWd4MUXs
kill
P.S. If a religions or vegans wants to deprive oneself of some kind of food, choose broccoli. 🙂 #delicious. 🙂
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=10155403374020973
omit “a”
Seriously people these Atheist gotten out of control. J$ 🙂
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=10155987930695973
PS. lady with the glasses job also in the hospital industry needs sick people and suffering. So while we care about the person who can’t control their gambling. Doctors and the industry who are suppose to help are looking to operate and continuing their suffrage for monetary gain. Who in the moral and religious community thinks God should allow professional doctors and those in the health care, who are suppose to help them, who they goes too, seeking relief, but knowingly and contributes to their suffering, should be granted peace and Heaven by God? When they depart this life? That is a sin well a deed God just can’t over look. I can’t see any just God granting it to them. Do you? I pray that I’m wrong and there is no afterlife for our deeds, because I can’t God letting go something so evil. If this is just it. Then they win, nice car, home, money, while they abuse others and their suffrage. for their person gain. P.S either God, Heaven and Hell exist or it doesn’t, belief in irrelevant. Wouldn’t you say? That time will tell. JS BAM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hmfp5qrX4tY
JS BAM 🙂
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hYJE_xsuwkc
🙂
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xHYI3NQtC2A
As I was watching the testimony , must say Uri Clinton was most eloquent. It is clear there are many that do not want Bridgeport to succeed. Christoph did a fair job. I thought Dennis Bradley was exceptional grilling the State of Windsor. Very proud listening to him. Clearly members on the committee are more supportive of East Windsor. People have for years dumped on Bridgeport and finally we have a united delegation. Catherine Osten was unbelievably disrespectful to Uri Clinton. . Now, I thought Marilyn Moore’s prepared statement was very good. I think it is Moore’s opportunity to put Democratic Senator Oston in her place. It must be a woman going head to head. Oston’s disrespect for Bridgeport was just too apparent. I support bill 7055. I have no problem with East Windsor having a Casino. I think Bridgeport Ct. On the Water in Fairfield County is an excellent choice. I am only sorry that Christoph and Steelepoint have been working at a snails pace putting all of their eggs in the Casino basket , Neglecting housing and other opportunities while waiting for a Casino.. I hope our delegation has the ability to persuade these other members of the State to support the future of Bridgeport. A Casino is not the only answer but it will definitely make Bridgeport an entertainment destination including the Arena and Amphitheater. I am surprised that the dept of Economic Development was not there today. If they were it was not televised. If I missed it I apologize. Great Job Bradley and Moore. Moore’s eloquent speaking would have definitely been more powerful than a prepared statement.
Steve
I don’t know Senator Moore’s schedule but I assume that she had a conflict with her own committee or speaking at another hearing. If you think that a Senator’s comments make that big of a difference spoken and not submitted in writing, you don’t know a thing about how Hartford works. But that hasn’t stoped you from saying stuff in the past has it.
Town of Windsor
Steven, You’re welcome. 🙂
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WFrmapGCuhs
Well stated, Senator Moore.
In regard to Senator Cathy Osten’s anti-Bridgeport, hostile histrionics:
With the huge MGM casino already in operation, and considering the proximity and scale of the East Windsor casino, it is not difficult to realize that it is a losing, illogical proposition and shouldn’t be allowed to impede the creation of a potentially huge, winning (casino) proposition in Bridgeport… It seems that Rep. Osten has forgotten how she off-handedly dismissed/opposed Bridgeport’s prerogative to develop a casino when MGM, in September 2017, indicated they would be interested in creating such a venue in Bridgeport. At that time it was a straightforward proposition by MGM and was not associated with an MGM counter-suit against the Tribes’ suit (to force the Interior Department to extend the tribal casino-development rights to non-tribal lands in Connecticut…).
The tribes had years to develop plans for future operations in strategic areas in the state designed to counter the effects of future casino development in adjacent states. The tribes lived “fat and happy” for three decades before they decided to capitalize on their success, with respect to anchoring their market. They were warned to be proactive, but chose to be reactive. They were interested in Bridgeport when they thought there would be competition for them there, but then let the ball drop when they were able to stymie the Bridgeport competition threat by way of an anti-Bridgeport alliance with Gold Coast interests… Osten and the tribes were off-base in 2017 and are off-base now…
Bridgeport United! Senator Ostentatious gave a shout out to OIB! She wants to eat with two forks.
Bobbie Walsh, I thought I was being complimentary to my Senator. How lucky she has a demented individual from Branford to insult her constituents. I thought I was clear. Her spoken testimony would have gone a long way. I’m happy she as you as her adviser. She is an eloquent speaker when she has something to say.