BIDDEFORD — It was a close vote, 19-15, but on Tuesday the Senate failed to pass a bill that would allow racinos in Biddeford and Washington County. Now voters will decide the fate of the bill at the ballot box in November.
Scarborough Downs and Ocean Properties, LLC have proposed building a $120 million racino, hotel and entertainment complex in Biddeford.
“The senate voted against jobs,” said Biddeford Mayor Joanne Twomey on Tuesday.
Twomey has been an ardent supporter of the Biddeford racino because, she has said, she believes it will bring needed jobs to local residents and additional tax revenue to city coffers.
In November 2010, Biddeford voters approved a racino in their community, provided negotiations between city officials and developers went favorably and all necessary approvals were received. But permission by the state, either by state government or by the voters, is required to permit racinos in Maine.
Supporters of the combined harness racetrack and slot machine facility had hoped to hasten the process by getting legislative approval for LD 1203, which would allow gaming facilities in both Biddeford and Calais.
Now they’ll have to wait for their answer until November, when residents will be asked to approve the measure in a citizens’ referendum.
Other gaming facilities in the state ”“ a racino in Bangor and a planned casino in Oxford County ”“ were both approved in statewide votes.
According to Crystal Canney, a spokeswoman for the Biddeford racino developers, “The bill, if passed, will create 800 construction jobs and 500 full-time jobs with $35,000 in wages and benefits in Biddeford.”
Similar jobs numbers are expected in Washington County, she said, while the state general fund would receive more than $50 million over a two-year period. Additionally, the developers have said that Biddeford would receive several million dollars in revenue from the racino.
The state House of Representatives had approved LD 1203 earlier this month. None of Biddeford’s three representatives, Paulette Beaudoin, Alan Casavant and Megan Rochelo, voted for the bill.
In a prior vote, the senate approved the measure before finally defeating it on Tuesday. Of the two senators representing Biddeford, only Nancy Sullivan voted for the racino bill. Barry Hobbins did not.
Even if the legislature had passed the measure, Gov. Paul LePage had stated he would veto the bill.
In addition to the racino bill, another gambling bill to allow a gaming facility in Lewiston will also be on the November ballot.
With the defeat of the LD 1203, the fate of the Biddeford racino is unclear, because Scarborough Downs and Ocean Properties have not publicly said whether they plan to pursue the project.
“Partners in the Biddeford project are now evaluating their options,” Canney said.
— Staff Writer Dina Mendros can be contacted at 282-1535, Ext. 324 or dmendros@journaltribune.com.
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