Patrick: Gaming part of history of Massachusetts
(David L. Ryan/Globe Staff)
Governor Patrick outlines his casino proposal before a packed State House auditorium.
By Matt Viser and Andrew Ryan, Globe Staff
Governor Deval Patrick testified at a State House hearing today that gambling was intertwined with the history of Massachusetts, arguing that casinos would not change the character of the state.
"For a very long time now, gaming has been in practice in Massachusetts and gaming revenues have been used to support public projects," Patrick said, according to prepared remarks provided by his staff. "In 1762 John Hancock raised lottery money to rebuild Faneuil Hall after a fire. Lottery funds were used to finance the Revolution."
The dorm at Harvard College where Patrick lived during his freshman year was built in the 1800s entirely with lottery funds, the Governor said.
The six-hour hearing has created a circus-like atmosphere at the State House. Union activists in matching red T-shirts and business leaders in pinstriped power suits and derby hats packed Gardner Auditorium, where it was standing-room-only.
The proceeding before the Joint Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures, and State Assets, is expected to be the highest-profile hearing on expanded gambling since the governor in September unveiled his proposal to license three casinos. Patrick's testimony could begin to change the perception on Beacon Hill that he has not aggressively pushed his proposal.
Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino emphasized the possible benefits of a possible casino at the Suffolk Downs site in East Boston. He argued that construction of such a facility would create 2,400 construction jobs for three years and over 7,800 full-time jobs in the region once it is built
"This is a proposition the state cannot pass up," Menino said in prepared remarks. "With the number of good, long-term jobs at stake, we must pursue every option to make this work."
In a hearing designed to showcase Patrick’s casino proposal, a handful of legislators spoke against the expansion of gaming.
"This is the most regressive form of taxation every invented by mankind," said Senator Susan Tucker, a Democrat from Andover who is an ardent gambling opponent.
The red T-shirts worn by the union backers read "Casinos + Unions" and "Good Jobs" in bold white letters. At the back of the auditorium, men in suits sat on the worn blue carpeting, holding their place in a room abuzz with anticipation about who else would show up.
Sheldon Adelson emerged from an elevator and leaned on a cane, shaking hands as he worked the room. The Dorchester native is a multibillionaire casino developer who runs Las Vegas Sands.
The hearing is also expected to include the testimony of Gary Loveman of Harrah's Entertainment and Mitchell Etess of Mohegan Sun.
