Springfield City Councilors and state legislators hosted a press conference on Oct. 22 inside Springfield City Hall to announce their efforts in restoring crucial casino mitigation money to the region. From left to right: Ward 3 City Councilor Melvin Edwards, Ward 5 City Councilor Lavar Click-Bruce, At Large City Councilor Sean Curran, Ward 1 City Councilor Maria Perez, Ward 6 City Councilor Victor Davila, state Sen. Adam Gomez and state. Sen. Jake Oliveira.
Reminder Publishing photo by Ryan Feyre
SPRINGFIELD — The City Council and other local officials are doing everything they can to convince the state to restore $3 million in casino mitigation funding that they say is rightfully Springfield’s.
During a special meeting on Oct. 22, the council unanimously approved a resolution that supports an amendment filed to the supplemental budget by state Sens. Adam Gomez and Jake Oliveira that would return the $3 million to the city.
The resolution, introduced by At Large City Councilor Sean Curran, was approved by an 8-0 vote at City Hall.
“We were promised casino mitigation funding to help with the impacts of MGM Casino, not only here in Springfield, but the neighboring communities of Holyoke, West Springfield, East Longmeadow, Longmeadow, Wilbraham [and] Ludlow,” Curran said. “And unfortunately, due to unforeseen federal budget cuts, casino mitigation kind of got caught in the crosshairs. And now, we’re in a situation where we’re about to lose our casino mitigation funding.”
Springfield has been the host community for MGM Springfield since 2018. At the time, the Massachusetts Gaming Commission created the Community Mitigation Fund as a way to offset regional impacts and provide vital support in the city and surrounding communities.
On average, the city received $3 million a year, but according to Mayor Domenic Sarno’s office, Springfield saw a dramatic decrease in funding to $1.4 million last year and only $360,000 this year.
“The city had relied upon such funding to help support local projects that supported our local infrastructure, traffic improvements, neighborhood parks — including Court Square, economic development planning and public safety aspects,” Sarno said. “Springfield, being a host community to MGM Springfield, should continue to receive casino mitigation funding.”
The $3 million that city and state officials are trying to restore was eliminated from the state budget and instead allocated for other aid distribution mechanisms determined by the Legislature.
Curran and other officials argue that this decision is inequitable, especially as $10 million in mitigation funding was allocated to eastern Massachusetts communities to address the impact of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
“It feels like a little bit of moving the goalposts after what we were promised and what we’ve expected,” City Council President Michael Fenton said.
The amendment presented by Gomez and Oliveira accomplishes two things: it seeks to restore a 6.5% revenue stream to ensure the long-term stability of the community mitigation program for the entire state, and it proposes to reinstate the $3 million for the Western Mass. communities.
The state Senate debated these amendments during a session on Oct. 23, after Reminder Publishing’s deadline. If adopted by the body, the amendments go to conference before heading to Gov. Maura Healey’s desk.
If signed by the governor, it will go back for an additional vote.
“This is actually what government is built for,” Gomez said at a press conference prior to the council meeting. “For us to be able to collaborate from the state side, and also our municipality efforts when it comes to making sure that the community’s voices are heard.”
Oliveira emphasized the importance of the mitigation fund, particularly in a world where federal dollars are becoming scant. He mentioned how the monies from the fund have supported crucial regional institutions like Holyoke Community College, the Hampden County District Attorney’s Office and the attorney general’s office.
“Every dollar that flows into the city of Springfield is essential to provide the services that our residents expect out of their dollar,” Oliveira said. “That is why the Community Mitigation Fund and casino gaming is so important for the city of Springfield and surrounding communities. It provides those resources that are necessary in order to improve certain areas of our government, including public safety, our roadways [and] workforce development.”
Councilors were in overwhelming agreement about the importance of supporting the senators’ amendments. Ward 6 City Councilor Victor Davila said that it would be “catastrophic” if Springfield lost the $3 million that the city is “entitled” to.
He argued that the money will help enhance the city’s budget.
Ward 8 City Councilor Zaida Govan said she was happy to see Gomez put these amendments forward.
“I’m hoping that the necessary body will pass it so that we can get the money that we were promised from MGM,” Govan said. “I’m really looking forward to making sure that this resolution has an impact on their decision, because it’s something that we need, especially in these times that are very uncertain.”
