House Speaker Salvatore DiMasi's statement on casino referendum

“I am deeply concerned that the Senate might add casino gambling as an amendment to the state budget. The budget is the most important bill we debate each year and is far too significant to be bogged down in these kinds of major, controversial public policy debates.

"I remain opposed to casino gambling but, given the magnitude of what the Senate is considering, I would support as a compromise Senator Panagiotakos’ proposal to put an advisory question on casinos before voters this fall.

"The House made its views on casinos clear in May. But rather than have our budget negotiations stall over a potential casino impasse, I suggest we put this before the voters in a non-binding referendum question and reconsider it next year.”