casinos

Boston.com is reporting that the casino bill is meandering its way through the Legislative digestive track on its way to the Gov's desk who has vowed to veto it because it authorizes two slot parlors instead of one and there is no competitive bidding process for those two licenses.

Released yesterday, ready for a vote next week. Includes a provision for slots at Suffolk Downs.

The Outraged Liberal wonders:

... Is the racino proposal really so shaky it cannot stand a public discussion? Or because the bill's new provisions really only affect your own district and a couple of others, do you think no one else need bother themselves with the details? ...

Jim, who lives in East Boston, isn't too happy with the Speaker, either:

... There are many legitimate arguments against casinos and slots, and not allowing for an open and fact-based discussion is clearly undemocratic. ...

Ever since Sal DiMasi left, it's seemed like everybody who might ever put their photo on glossy stock and mail that out to thousands of people has bought into the idea of casinos or die. Alan Khazei, running for Senate, though, told the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce this morning that he opposes casinos:

... I understand that people are hurting and need work, but we can create good, high-paying jobs in green industries and clean energy, supporting small business and emphasizing health care, education, bio-tech, tourism, and other industries where Massachusetts has a competitive advantage. New gambling machines prey especially on primarily low-income families and people suffering from addiction - the very people who are struggling the most in this terrible economy. ...

Gladys Kravitz (yeah, yeah) reports on a recent hearing by state Sen. Karen Spilka of Ashland on bringing gambling to Massachusetts. Only people in favor of gambling - and Martha Coakley - were invited.