The Connecticut Alliance Against Casino Expansion
phone: 1-866-6NO-DICE
email: webmaster@connecticutalliance.org
website: http://www.connecticutalliance.org/about.asp
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.
In 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.
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.
In 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.
January 2003 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 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 The Connecticut Alliance announces an environmental initiative aimed at traffic, road construction, and water supply as it relates to the expansion of Foxwoods Casino.
October 2003 Alarmed by the expansion and encroachment of these casinos in just a few years and the prospect of a dozen additional casinos opening throughout the state, the Connecticut Alliance Against Casino Expansion announced its formation on October 24 at the state Capitol.
LEADERSHIP >>
President
Jeff Benedict is an investigative journalist and the author of five books. He holds a J.D., an M.A. in Political Science and a B.A. in History. He is a frequent public speaker, lecturer and a consultant and strategist for law firms, private companies and business organizations. In 2002, Benedict was a candidate for U.S. Congress from Connecticut and earned the endorsement of the Wall Street Journal.
Benedict is also the president of the Connecticut Alliance Against Casino Expansion, a non-profit corporation that he helped form with business, civic and religious leaders from around Connecticut . In 2003 Benedict partnered with Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal to lead an effort to enact landmark legislation to stop casino expansion in the state. Read his Bio.
Board of Directors
Jeff Benedict, President, Connecticut Alliance Against Casino Expansion, Niantic
Bob Bose, Coalition Against Gambling Expansion, Danbury
Mary Beth Gorke-Felice, Connecticut Citizens Against Casinos, Woodstock
John Katz, Worcester School, Danbury
John Levinson, Westway Capital, Southport
Lee Ann Madursky, Power Specialists, Somers
Joe McGee, Southwest Area Commerce and Industry Association, Fairfield
Mac Turner, Residents Against Annexation, 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:
Join the Connecticut Alliance!
Write your elected officials
Contribute financial support
Sign Connecticut Alliance's petitions
Tell your friends about the issues surrounding casinos in Connecticut
Tell 10 friends about the web site
Attend a Connecticut Alliance event
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 info@connecticutalliance.org.