Surprise in district of lawmaker who flipped on casino vote
Representative Richard J. Ross
By Milton J. Valencia, Globe Staff
WRENTHAM -- A major defeat for the governor’s resort casino bill came when one lawmaker, Representative Richard J. Ross, changed his vote on a key committee and broke what had been a 9-9 tie after intense pressure from House Speaker Salvatore F. DiMasi.
After the vote, Ross told reporters he changed his mind about “sticking with the governor” after speaking by phone with Plainridge Racecourse president Gary Piontkowski. Ross also said he met with DiMasi twice in 16 hours and that the speaker indicated he would allow the House to consider a bill to install slot machines at the state's four racetracks, including Plainridge.
"It was down to the eleventh hour, the 59th minute," said Ross. "Ultimately I owe my vote to the people in the district, how they wish me to vote."
In his district in this suburb 30 miles southwest of Boston, his constituents were stunned that Ross flipped.
“I’m happy he swung his vote, but I’m surprised,” said longtime resident Wrentham resident Bob Leclair. “It’s politics at its best, or worst, depending on how you feel about it – it’s still politics.”
Some of his constituents said that they expect that Ross had used the vote to leverage something for the Plainridge Racecourse. Others residents saw the fingerprints of the powerful House speaker.
“I know Sal’s got a lot of pull – he’s got too much pull I think,” said Rick Hayden, who just moved to Wrentham and lives in Ross’s district.
“He won,” Hayden said of DiMasi. “I had a feeling he was going to.”
At Nicky’s Fine Food, Bob and Mary Chalds said they, too, were surprised when they heard of the vote.
“I thought he was for it,” Mary Chalds said.
Bob Chalds added: “I’m surprised he changed his mind, but there may have been a good reason.”
