The mayor of Springfield, Massachusetts is seeking to join an effort to block a voter referendum that could repeal the state’s casino gambling law.
Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno and nine other registered voters in the city have filed a motion to submit arguments in the case pending before the state’s highest court that will decide if the casino repeal referendum appears on the November ballot. City solicitor Ed Pikula said they hope to argue that the initiative petition by casino opponents nullifies the results of last year’s Springfield referendum that approved a casino development deal with MGM.
"Our efforts are aimed solely at assuring that the SJC gets the Springfield perspective as to the legality of the initiative petition."
Casino companies are also hoping to keep the repeal question off the ballot. The court is scheduled to hear arguments in May with a decision expected in July.
