By Michael Levenson and Frank Phillips
Globe Staff / April 1, 2010
Looks to add jobs, save racetracks
Kathleen Conley Norbut (above left), the Rev. Jack Johnson, and Kelly Marcimo spoke out at the State House yesterday against legislation that would allow casinos in Massachusetts. Meanwhile, members of some labor unions (below) rallied in support of the measure. Kathleen Conley Norbut (above left), the Rev. Jack Johnson, and Kelly Marcimo spoke out at the State House yesterday against legislation that would allow casinos in Massachusetts. Meanwhile, members of some labor unions (below) rallied in support of the measure. (Photos By Pat Greenhouse/Globe Staff)
House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo today will unveil a long-awaited bill to license two resort-style casinos in Massachusetts and slot machines at the state’s four struggling racetracks, a plan House leaders believe would create as many as 15,000 jobs.
Under the bill, which promises to dominate the legislative agenda this spring, the state would collect 25 percent of the revenue from both casinos, which industry officials say could each generate $250 million to $300 million annually, according to one person briefed on the plan, who asked for anonymity to discuss details before today’s announcement.
The state would also sell licenses to casino developers, which the industry says could generate $75 million to $100 million each to help ease the state’s fiscal crisis.
Debate on the legislation, expected to begin the week after next, will unfold in a political environment radically different from the one three years ago, when Governor Deval Patrick unsuccessfully pushed his own plan to bring three casinos to Massachusetts. DeLeo replaced as speaker Salvatore F. DiMasi, an ardent opponent of expanded gambling who led the effort to kill that bill.
Polls have indicated mixed public support for casino gambling. Some opposition remains in the Legislature, especially as the struggling economy has slowed revenues at other gambling establishments in New England. Still, proponents are predicting a more favorable outcome this time around.
DeLeo did not make any public statements yesterday, huddling instead with his leadership team and casino supporters from the state’s leading labor unions and business groups.
“It’s a full-court press in there,’’ state Representative Daniel E. Bosley, a North Adams Democrat and leading opponent of expanded gambling, said as he passed DeLeo’s office.
Driving at least part of the legislation is DeLeo’s desire to save the racetracks, two of which — Wonderland Greyhound Park in Revere and Suffolk Downs in East Boston — are in his district.
But while Patrick and Senate President Therese Murray support resort-style casinos, they strongly oppose slots at the tracks, arguing that they do not generate as many jobs. DeLeo, according to one person close to the speaker, may be open to a compromise that would jettison slots but direct some casino revenue to increase the purses at the tracks.
“He won’t let casinos go down over slots,’’ said the person, who asked for anonymity to discuss private conversations. “There’s too much at stake.’’
Two people briefed on the plan said 100 percent of the revenue from the slot machines, under the bill, would be dedicated to local aid until the casinos can be built — a move intended to help increase support for the legislation among state lawmakers and local officials.
The bill does not set geographic boundaries for the casinos, as Patrick’s 2007 proposal did. Instead, it would establish a commission to work with industry officials and communities to find suitable locations.Continued…
via DeLeo puts last touches on his slots, casinos bill – The Boston Globe.
