No luck in Senate for proposal to place casinos on ballot

By Andrea Estes, Globe Staff

A proposal fizzled today in the state Senate that would have allowed voters a chance to voice their opinions as soon as February on Governor Deval Patrick's casino plan.

State Senator Michael W. Morrissey of Quincy and Representative Brian P. Wallace of South Boston, both Democrats, sought a referendum on casinos on Feb. 5, the date proposed for the state's presidential primary.

"It would allow people the opportunity to engage in some discussion of the matter and get a sense of what the public feels," Morrissey said in floor debate. Both he and Wallace are supporters of bringing casinos to the state.

Senator Susan Tucker, a Democrat from Andover, responded, "The gentleman's amendment is clearly beyond the scope of what we are discussing and should be laid aside."

The bill to move the primary from March 4 to Feb. 5 passed, but the amendment was ruled out of order by Senate President Therese Murray, a Plymouth Democrat.

Murray said the amendment was “wholly unrelated”and “beyond the scope” of the bill being amended.

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