Proposed internet poker ban in MA

[SamJake]

Thanks so much Randy....also thanks for the updates

[DeadMoneyDad]

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Thanks all for the words of support. I approach this with "optimistic trepidation." What is most important to me is that the PPA position is vocalized clearly prior to any final voting.

Also, Senator Brewer indicated that all of the legislators are extremely impressed with our efforts and passion about this topic. He said that; "If the democratic process is to work properly here, (and he is confident that it will) then all of our persistent efforts will ultimately pay off in the end."

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Randy,

FANTASTIC!

You can ask for no more from any pol. Sounds like you have made contact with a good one. IMO this is your biggest success to date, among a long string of recent successes. Having a friendly legislator on your side and who is willing to help you along in your efforts is a major coup. As shown by the hard work and recent dramatic results of the PPA's tireless and seemingly thankless efforts (inspired in some minds by me), at the Federal Level, developing such relationships is the crucial foundation for political success.

You and all involved have achieved in a short time great success and all the necessary (IMO) elements for ultimate victory for all of "us".

You may have some idea of my (self promoted and claimed) supposed abilities and a fair idea of my limitations, from having read all of my “work”. I can hear people SCREAMING at you to avoid me like the plague already. If there is anything, I can do as a member of the PPA to help prod the organization, and or add to your efforts let me know. Please PM me for private phone or other contact information if I can assist you in any way, even if you want to simply "bitch about the process" in a friendly ear.

I hope someone is developing an outline of your efforts and the success and effectiveness of various activities tried. As Skall, (forgive me for virtually putting words in your mouth) has pointed out barring dramatic quick action resulting from and perhaps in spite of any WTO actions, poker rights (as most political battles) are likely to always need to be fought at the State and "local" level.

You should be very proud of "your" accomplishments, IMO you should not approach any future with any trepidation, as you have in DC political terms gained the beginnings of a "rabbi" or "godfather" relationship with a key legislator. As the Assistant Vice-Chair of Senate Committee on Ways and Means, as show by the recent Federal House Judiciary hearings having a friendly Chairman lead the Committee proceedings’ is invaluable.

Not being intimately knowledgeable of the inner workings of the MA legislature, but having some idea of the general workings of such bodies, there are some very specific relationships you should attempt to cultivate.

In addition to Sen. Brewer himself, people on his staff, PPA HQ, the PPA's lobbing groups, Rep Barney Frank and staff, and many of the people in this forum can help you navigate the waters of MA's law making process. Strategically picking allies from theJCEDET as well as other committees other committees likely to be involved will politically leverage your hard won gains.

IMO the more knowledgeable you become of the process and the "key players" the more likely and <u>quicker your "optimistic trepidation" becomes "confident anticipation." </u>

To all that have taken the time to read another long and possibly "preachy" post of mine, thank you for indulging me and finding perhaps a little wheat in the chaff. IMO it is very important to recognize the success to date, in both terms of accomplishment as well as better developing an outline and model for future successes.

We can always work harder; the cardinal sin in politics is forever attempting to "re-invent the wheel." For all you world-class wheel makers out there, sorry for the tone of this post, take offense if you must. But either put your own shoulder to the wheel already built and through your hard work keep it rolling ever faster, help better define its shape with your talents, or as my 16 year old often thinks when he thinks I am only getting on my high horse for fun or personal gain, STFU! [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]


D$D&lt;-- hopes this is more readable from repeated drafting and judicious used of existing spell checking technologies!

[Uglyowl]

There are numerous articles criticizing Deval Patrick's plan, I particularly liked this line:

"then what right does he have to stop people from gambling at venues that don't benefit Massachusetts? Why not ban 1/14/news/opinion/opinion01.txt]http://enterprise.southostate residents from taking the buses to Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun in Connecticut?"

web page

BTW D$D, I always enjoy reading your posts. Other than a few off the wall ones, they are generally good and always make you think.

[catlover]

Congratulations Randy. Great work.

[Uglyowl]

What now? Should we just "lay low"? I don't want to beat a dead horse, here is where I am at:

1. State Rep: Mr. Robert Rice, sent me an e-mail saying he opposed the important section and will work to have it removed.

2. State Senator: Mr. Steven Brewer: Generic casino bill, but has told Randy he is against that portion

3. Mr. Gov. Deval Patrick: "We'll pass it along". No e-mail or snail mail response. Evasive in newspaper articles.

With that said is there anything further I should be doing. I thought about sending quick notes to them refuting some common arguments that will be made against online poker (i.e. It is illegal under the Wire Act, etc.)

Maybe a quick fact sheet to send to all the representatives explaining the laws? The AG will certainly try to give his interpretation, but we have pretty good evidence to support our side.

[Tuff_Fish]

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I thought about sending quick notes to them refuting some common arguments that will be made against online poker (i.e. It is illegal under the Wire Act, etc.)
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Maybe a quick fact sheet to send to all the representatives explaining the laws? The AG will certainly try to give his interpretation, but we have pretty good evidence to support our side.

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That sounds like a good plan to me.

Tuff

[oldbookguy]

I know I beat this horse pretty good, but point out to them the Newton Company, World Winner and the owner, A U.S. company, Liberty Media, in skill gaming, and the jobs loss if the Internet ban is kept in place.

Heck, I doubt they even know gambling, skill or chance, taking place in Mass. right now, legally.

obg

[MassPoker]

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What now? Should we just "lay low"? I don't want to beat a dead horse...

With that said is there anything further I should be doing. I thought about sending quick notes to them refuting some common arguments that will be made against online poker (i.e. It is illegal under the Wire Act, etc.)

Maybe a quick fact sheet to send to all the representatives explaining the laws? The AG will certainly try to give his interpretation, but we have pretty good evidence to support our side.

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I have a GREAT idea and I'd like to see if I can get a small campaign going on this right away. My plan is very simple and it is this:

I say we send a little "reminder note on where we stand now, perhaps metioning that we have gained a significant amount of legislative and media support. Included in that letter, we send a very sincere "thank you" message basically saying that you appreciate the time and attention that that particular legislator took on hearing/reading what you had to say/write and also add that you will follow up with them at a later time and update them on issues that are central to the referenced legislation. I'm thinking that we can all still use the PPA's standard auto-writing tool, but I would suggest deleting the auto-generated letter that already exists and write in place of it your own "thank you" letter. Be as polite, courteous and sincere as you possibly can.

Also, for those of you in Senator Stephen Brewer's District, please be sure to personally thank him for clarifying HIS position with me (as your PPA rep), and for his stance alongside of the PPA on this issue.

I also wanted to point out that I am in WA State until December 5th now. I am currently meeting with 2 WA eresidents who have been adversely affected by the bill. I am having these 2 guys tell me their stories and sign them as though they are affidavits. In the time I have already spent with these guys, their story is so unbelievably powerful. It is my hope that I can use their stories to demonstrate to the legislative hearing committee a couple examples of the devestating "after effects" of the WA bill (insofar as the WA bill is almost identical to the current proposed MA bill. Hopefully this will help me garner my desired affect.

All In,

Randy C~
MA PPA Rep

[sobefuddled]

Best of luck with that Randy. You are doing great work for us. I would encourage that anyone who has not heard back from their Rep and Senator demand an appointment to meet with them. Follow up mail is unlikely to work with unresponsive legislators.

[sobefuddled]

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Heck, I doubt they even know gambling, skill or chance, taking place in Mass. right now, legally.

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They may not know it's taking place via World Games OBG but MA law can be confusing. For many. many years it has been possible to pull a license that permits gambling for charitable events. Heck, if you want to have raffles at a church bake sale you need to pull a permit. My honest opinion is that in MA it has always been about the money. If you can show the state how it will benefit from permitting on-line poker the state will back off.