Springfield council backs effort to restore $3 million in casino mitigation funding

The Springfield City Council voted unanimously among those present to approve a resolution urging the Massachusetts Senate to restore $3,000,000 in casino mitigation funding to Western Massachusetts and the city of Springfield.

Councilor Sean Curran introduced the resolution, saying Springfield and nearby communities were promised mitigation funds tied to MGM Casino and that recent state budget actions put those funds at risk. “We were promised casino mitigation funding to help with the impacts of MGM Casino,” Councilor Curran said. He told the council he had asked the city’s Senate delegation—Senator Adam Gomez and Senator Jake Oliveira—to file an amendment to a supplemental budget that would restore $3,000,000 to the region.

The council’s action is intended to support an amendment pending on the Massachusetts Senate floor. Curran said the Senate was scheduled to vote on a roughly $2,000,000,000 supplemental budget, and his request asked lawmakers to include the $3,000,000 restoration for Western Massachusetts and Springfield.

Council President Fenton presided over the special meeting and called the roll for a final vote. In a roll-call, Councilor Curran, Councilor Allen, Councilor Govan, Councilor Edwards, Councilor Davila, Councilor Click Bruce, Councilor Perez and Councilor Fenton voted yes; five members were recorded as absent. Council President Fenton declared, “Resolution passes unanimously.”

Councilors who spoke in favor framed the issue as both a fiscal and equity matter. Councilor Allen described the cut as equivalent to “losing $3,000,000 of income” for city services and public-safety needs near the casino. Councilor Davila warned of potential effects on municipal services and property tax pressures if the funds were not restored. Councilor Perez said the money was needed in a ward she described as “the poorest in the state.”

Speakers noted distinctions between different funding streams: Curran and others said mitigation paid through the Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) and through host-community agreements is separate from amounts the state might place in the general fund. Councilors contrasted proposed state allocations to other events and communities—citing proposed mitigation for World Cup-related impacts in Foxborough—while arguing Springfield’s mitigation commitments should be honored.

The resolution directs the Springfield City Council to support the Senate amendment to restore the $3,000,000 for Western Massachusetts and Springfield and to communicate that support to state leaders and the mayor’s office. The motion was made by Councilor Sean Curran; a second was not specified in the record.

No formal amendments or follow-up staff directions were recorded during the meeting. The resolution is a statement of support and does not itself appropriate funds or change any municipal agreements.

More than a half-dozen councilors spoke in favor during a short discussion before the roll-call. The council had one item on the special meeting agenda and adjourned after the vote.