Difference of Opinion
As stated earlier when I began this thread, I am the Massachusetts Director for the Poker Players Alliance. Over the past several weeks I have been in constant contact with many legislators throughout Massachusetts regarding H.4307; (Governor Patrick's proposed Casino bill) and I am happy to report that
every single legislator that I have spoken with is vehemently opposed to the section of the bill which would criminalize internet poker.
Several thousand letters have been sent to various MA legislators regarding this bill, as well as over 5,000 phone calls have been made to Governor Patricks office in opposition to the bill. Now, it may seem like all of this is falling on deaf ears, but I assure you that the power of numbers DOES work!
I have made it my personal mission to ensure that the voices of MA PPA members (and even non-PPA internet poker player's) are being heard. Our position is clear on this issue and we are making a difference. Those who feel that it won't make a difference to write letters or call your local legislators simply don't understand that if we make enough of a fuss, our local reps and senators will have very little choice except to seek an exemption of the very specific language in the bill that would otherwise criminalize online poker.
We ARE making an impact!!! I receive in the neighborhood of 100 emails and 15-20 phone calls per day from people who want to know what they can do to help, and my standard answer is this; write letters to everyone and anyone who represents our legislative voices. Call your local reps and senators as well as the Governors office [see below](and express your concern. Educate yourself about the proposed bill and follow the stories in the media pertaining to it. Our best defense is a rigid and unwielding offense!
Massachusetts State House
Office of the Governor
Office of the Lt. Governor
Room 360
Boston, MA 02133
Phone: 617.725.4005
888.870.7770 (in state)
I assure you that we can
AND WILL make a difference if we fight this legislation as though our very lives depended on it.
In an effort to demonstarte that our voices ARE BEING HEARD, I am providing a link to a Boston Globe article that was picked up by the Associated Press and ultimately made National news. The story has also been covered by numerous televison news stations here in Boston:
http://www.boston.com/news/local/massach...t_bets_illegal/
It is important to note that until the section of the proposed bill was discovered, it was buried so DEEP in the overall bill that it was lucky that we caught it in time to act on it. Had this gone unnoticed, chances are it may have just slipped right through the cracks because it was so vague. By exposing it and bringing attention to it, we have given ourselves the much needed attention to our plight that we so desperately needed.
Thank you all for the letter writing, and phone call campaigns. THEY ARE MAKING A DIFFERENCE!!! As proof that they are making a difference, I'll offer this statement from Massachusetts Senator Stephen Brewer (D-Barre):
"All of the legislators I have spoken with are extremely impressed with your (PPA Organization and members) efforts and passion about this topic. If the democratic process is to work properly here, and I'm confident that it will in this instance, then all of your persistent efforts will ultimately pay off in the end."
Senator Brewer supports our plight and further added that he will demand that the language criminalizing internet poker will have to be removed before he supports any other part of the bill.
I'm sure you'll agree that this is a positive step in the right direction.
All In,
Randy C~
Massachusetts Director
Poker Players Alliance
Not a surprise IMO. Afterall, everyone needs a gimmick. It's too bad banning 
