THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, JUNE 26, 2026 Page 5 ~ OP-ED ~ 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 fi nanced 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 fi scal 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 Suff olk County District Attorney’s Offices, 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 new head house and pedestrian bridge at Assembly Square, that will open the door to accessible MBTA service for Everett. These dollars further economic development, too, driving people to small business and arts venues via wayfi nding signs and the promotion of cultural events. Municipalities invest funds in training for small business owners and employees. In Chelsea, for example, the Bunker Hill Enterprise Center is helping entrepreneurs build skills in hospitality, recruitment, and business innovation. Cambridge uses these funds to promote cultural events; Chelsea expanded its tourism campaigns; and Medford is modernizing the Chevalier Theatre, which serves as the cultural heart of Medford Square. The Fund works to keep our region healthy by expanding outreach around gambling-related harm. Melrose has even used it to connect seniors with new programming, transportation, and entertainment opportunities that combat isolation and bolster quality of life at their senior center. Reducing funding will not make the challenges of hosting a casino disappear. It will only strip municipalities of the resources they use to manage them responsibly. While federal funding seems uncertain and local budgets are stretched thin, limiting this support would stymie critical projects and undermine public safety. Protecting the Community Mitigation Fund is a matter of fairness and good policy. It is time to restore its funding source to keep the promise made in 2011. Our communities deserve nothing less. Mayor Breanna LungoKoehn, City of Medford & Metro Mayors Coalition Co-Chair Manager Yi-An Huang, City of Cambridge & Metro Mayors Coalition Co-Chair Mayor Robert J. Van Campen, City of Everett Manager Fidel A. Maltez, City of Chelsea Mayor Gary J. Christenson, City of Malden Mayor Patrick M. Keefe, Jr., City of Revere Gerry D’Ambrosio Attorney-at-Law Is Your Estate in Order? Do you have an update Will, Health Care Proxy or Power of Attorney? If Not, Please Call for a Free Consultation. 14 Proctor Avenue, Revere (781) 284-5657 Mayor Jake Wilson, City of Somerville Mayor Jennifer Grigoraitis, City of Melrose Mayor Jared C. Nicholson, City of Lynn Lizzi Weyant, Metropolitan Area Planning Council Revere Summer Eats 2026 FREE Meals for students upto age 18,meals will be served Monday through Friday,June 29, 2026 through August 14, 2026. Breakfast Beachmont School 8:00am-9:30am Hill School 8:00am-9:30am Paul Revere School 8:00am-9:30am A.C. Whelan 8:00am-9:30am Lincoln School 8:00am-9:30am *Curtis Park (Garfield School) 8:00-9:30 Rumney Marsh Academy 8:00am-9:30am Lunch Beachmont School 11:00am-1:00pm A.C.Whelan 11:00am-1:00pm Hill School 11:00am-1:00pm Paul Revere School 11:00am-1:00pm Sonny Meyers Park 11:00am-1:00pm Costa Park 11:00am-1:00pm Lincoln School 11:00am-1:00pm *Curtis Park (Garfield School) 12:00pm-1:00pm Revere Beach Bandstand 11:00am-1:00pm *Sullivan Park 11:00am-1:00pm *Tentative location, open based on participation “This institution is an equal opportunity provider”. * Locations may be subject to close due to inclement weather and/or lack of participation
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