THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRiDAy, JunE 26, 2026 ~ Op-Ed ~ Page 3 Don’t Let the Community Mitigation Fund Run Dry W hen the Legislature passed the Expanded Gaming Act in 2011, they made a promise: if the Commonwealth legalized gaming, then the impacted communities would not be left to handle those burdens alone. One way they did this was via the creation of the Community Mitigation Fund, which was financed with 6.5% of the revenue that the state received from casinos. That Fund has served as a lifeline for communities that need to manage the externalities of gaming. Now that lifeline is almost extinguished. Recent budget decisions reallocated new revenue for the Fund, and its balance is now less than $6 million, which will be exhausted soon. Now, grants are just 1/4 of what they were, even as the impacts of gaming remain. We still see increased traffi c and accidents, pressure on emergency services, and the need for expanded public health outreach. The only thing that has changed is the amount of money allocated. This fiscal cliff was not inevitable. Unless the FY27 budget restores an adequate allocation, communities will be left without the support they were promised, and which voters expect all while still dealing with the impact of the casinos. Restoring the Fund doesn’t require new taxes or revenue, or a legislative overhaul. The dollars come from a tax collected on the casinos, and the legislature should reallocate the maximum amount of funding to the Community Mitigation Fund. While the Governor and Senate allocated 3% of incoming dollars to the Fund, the House allocated 4%. The higher amount would partially honor the deal made with residents most impacted by casinos, while also maintaining fairness for the communities that host casinos and experience the greatest impact. To understand what is at stake, you need only look at how these dollars are used. Last year, 26 municipalities received grants ranging from $49,900 (Attleboro) to nearly $2.8 million (Springfi eld). Regional entities also rely on these dollars, including the Hampden and Suffolk County District Attorney’s Offi ces, MassHire Metro North, and several regional planning agencies. These are not abstract dollars; they represent essential investments in safety, infrastructure, economic vitality, and public health that could soon disappear. Public safety is among the most critical uses. Cambridge, Chelsea, Malden, and Somerville rely on the Fund to support traffi c enforcement. Boston, Chelsea, and Everett use it to cover overtime and salaries for emergency service providers. Revere has purchased lifesaving AEDs, while Medford and Cambridge have implemented de-escalation training for fi rst responders. Some communities are even completing long-needed roadway safety improvements that would otherwise be delayed. The Fund also advances major infrastructure projects that strengthen regional mobility. In Boston, it supports the construction of a missing link in the Harborwalk. In Revere, it funds a bicycle connection linking the casino to Revere Beach, which improves safety and sustainability for workers and visitors alike. Funds have even supported the design of a “WE’RE STILL HERE!” Since 1947 MALDEN AUTO BODY Book online: Maldenauto.com 49 Robin St., Everett, MA 617-389-3030 * Maldenab@yahoo.com Over 79 years of exceptional service! Massone Family Owned & Operated SABATINO/MASTROCOLA INSURANCE AGENCY 519 BROADWAY EVERETT, MA 02149 Auto * Home * Boat * Renter * Condo * Life * Multi-Policy Discounts * Commercial 10% Discounts * Registry Service Also Available new head house and pedestrian bridge at Assembly Square, that will open the door to accessible MBTA service for Everett. OP-ED | SEE PAGE 14 PHONE: (617) 387-7466 FAX: (617) 381-9186 Visit us online at: WWW.SABATINO-INS.COM
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