State Senator Tony Hwang Exercises Caution in Voting Against Casino, Sports and Internet Gambling Expansion
State Senator Tony Hwang (R-28), Ranking Member of the Public Safety and Security Committee with cognizance in the area of gambling, released the following statement concerning his votes against casino, sports and internet gambling expansion legislation during the March 19th Committee Meeting.
“After the February 28th Public Safety and Security Committee vote to draft language on issues of casino expansion, sports gambling and internet gambling, I released a statement explaining my cautious vote to draft full legislative language before deciding whether to support these measures any further. Unfortunately, the well intentioned work of the Public Safety Committee still did not fully address my concerns on the legal, financial and societal complexities raised by proponents of gambling expansion in Connecticut,” said Senator Hwang.
SB 11 would approve the MMCT East Windsor Casino without a review and approval by the US Department of Interior, opening the state to litigation from the Federal Government. This bill runs counter to the official opinion of former CT Attorney General George Jepsen (Letter submitted 4-15-15). HB 7055 would create a competitive bidding process, or RFP, without a deal with the tribes that would likely end up eliminating the tax revenue the State receives from tribal casinos. HB 7331 would legalize sports betting, including intercollegiate games. SB 17 would legalize online gambling.
“SB 11 (MMCT) leaves Connecticut exposed to serious legal challenges and, as a legislator, I’m not willing to take that risk in a shortcut effort to expand an industry which has seen consistent diminishing returns, including eight straight months of declining revenue. HB 7055 (RFP Process) could jeopardize the tax revenue we do receive from the Tribal casinos’ slot revenue, and the tribes have already made clear they will cease the transfer of those funds if the legislature approves an RFP process, thereby violating the tribal compact agreement.”
“When it comes to sports betting, I am extremely concerned that the bill was hastily proposed as a reaction to the US Supreme Court case (Murphy vs. NCAA). I strongly believe that we should not be allowing betting and wagering on college student-athletes. I still oppose Sports gambling even with substitute language excluding UConn, all CT college, high school and minor league teams. Internet gambling seems dangerously attractive to our younger generation who are constantly online and innately familiar with internet based games. Internet gambling has the potential of creating a new generation of addicted gamblers. How would we verify their age? How can we ensure we are not facilitating early gambling addiction? Lastly, the legislative approval of credit card use for online gambling opens the opportunity for abuse.”
“The language, lack of implementation structure, and inadequate counseling services addressing gambling addiction in these bills tells me we have not taken the proper steps to address the implications of expanded gambling in our state. I will keep an open mind in future debates and look to maintain a balance between our state’s need for revenue and the societal impact on those affected by gambling addiction.”
State Senator Tony Hwang represents Connecticut’s 28th Senate District, including the towns of Fairfield, Westport, Weston, Easton, Newtown & Sandy Hook. Hwang serves as the Ranking Member of the Public Safety and Security Committee which has legislative cognizance in the area of gambling.
Hwang Joins 5th Annual Fairfield Health & Fitness Expo (Fairfield Citizen)
Article as it appear in the Fairfield Citizen:
The Fairfield Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the Town of Fairfield, held its 5h annual Fairfield Health & Fitness Expo, promoting community wellness.
Held in the RecPlex at Fairfield University Saturday, and sponsored by Collins Medical Equipment, this free, annual event provides health, fitness and fun for the entire family. More than 85 participating exhibitors and hundreds of community members participated. The event was organized by a committee of local business leaders along with the Fairfield Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Beverly Balaz and event sponsor Bryan Collins.
Exhibitors demonstrated information on programs, services, and products, provided free health screenings and fitness demo’s (by DOJO Fairfield, Fairfield YMCA, Elliptical Studios, Fairfield Strength, Club Pilates Fairfield, Row House Westport), followed by Q & A sessions.
“This year we had over 85 exhibitors, a variety of free screenings, AED & hands-only CPR training, plus we held all day activities for children including the Shamrock Fun Run,” said Balaz. “Both the Chamber and Town are proud to host an event that promotes a healthy lifestyle experience for young and old, to have fun, watch fitness demos, listen to informative guest speakers, eat something healthy, and get answers from our local business owners about available services and learn about what is needed to stay healthy and fit.”
“This is a tremendous display of our local businesses addressing an essential part of our population,” said State Senator Tony Hwang. “To share what resources are available for the aging population and health care is such an important thing. Access to helpful information is critical and we need to do a better job of sharing these resources especially for our senior citizens so they can be active and engaged and healthy in the future. This event provides a unique combination of community service, small businesses and caring for our senior population. I want to compliment the Chamber of Commerce in Fairfield for putting it all together in one spot for the community to be able to participate and learn from. This is a wonderful display of community engagement.”
State Representative Crisitin McCarthy-Vahey also attended the event. “I think this is an excellent partnership, health and wellness is such a critical part of everyday life,” she said. “For me seeing the Fairfield Cares crew here who I work with and seeing the ways we have volunteers partner with businesses and town officials, the police, it’s an excellent showcase of all the ways people can keep themselves healthy. I’ll particularly note the partnership with Fairfield Cares and the police with the prescription drug take back and remind residents that it’s available in the Police Department lobby 24/7. We want to help people be healthy every day.”
“This is a great event for we exhibitors, members of the chamber who can expose their businesses and also for the population to get out here and get information and resources from,” said Paul Doyle, Owner of Oasis Senior Advisors. Sam Jen, Chamber treasurer agreed, “This event is terrific, it gets the community out and it makes them aware of healthier living options. There is plenty for the kids to do too so there’s no excuse.”
Event Sponsor Bryan Collins, Director of Sales and Marketing at Collins Medical Equipment said, “We are thrilled to be here today as the event’s sponsor, it’s an absolute blast.” Jay Kiley, owner of Synergy Home Care of Fairfield added, “We are thrilled to be here, we have a great crowd here today and an amazing number of booths.”
A Shamrock Fun Run and Popsicle Stick Challenge by SoundRUNNER, Touch-A-Truck, Kids Crafts, Hands-Only CPR & AED Training, a Prescription Drug Take Back operated by the Fairfield Police & Fairfield Health Department, local Girl Scout Troops selling cookies and Food Vendors added to the event.
