Menino tries his luck at procasino lobbying

Local leaders help launch coalition

Mayor Thomas M. Menino of Boston, Robert Haynes (center) of the AFL-CIO, and Chelsea's city manager, Jay Ash, at a press conference at the Omni Parker House. (DAVID KAMERMAN/GLOBE STAFF)

A group of mayors and labor leaders kicked off a lobbying effort yesterday to push for casino gambling in the Bay State, saying that expanded gaming would generate tens of thousands of jobs and millions of dollars in tax revenue.

The group, the Massachusetts Coalition for Jobs and Growth, said it hopes to generate broad, grass-roots support for Governor Deval Patrick's legislation, which would allow three resort casinos in Massachusetts. Through a new website, the group is urging residents to call and write their legislators, organize community meetings, and ask friends to join the coalition.

"This is so important to the vitality and vibrancy of our cities and towns in Massachusetts," said Mayor Thomas M. Menino of Boston, who joined Mayor Kimberly Driscoll of Salem, and Chelsea's city manager, Jay Ash, at a press conference to announce the effort in downtown Boston. "We must do it now."

The coalition also includes officials from the Massachusetts Teachers Association, the AFL-CIO, and the Massachusetts Building Trades Council. The coalition's efforts are being funded by labor groups and at least one potential casino site, Suffolk Downs in East Boston, organizers said.

Formation of the coalition promises to ratchet up the rhetoric in the casino debate and increase pressure on legislators, who are already being lobbied by an anticasino group, Casino Free Mass. That group lists among its supporters the League of Women Voters of Massachusetts, the Massachusetts Council of Churches, the Massachusetts Family Institute, and the Muslim American Society.

Patrick's legislation, which was introduced last year, would allow the state to auction licenses for the development of up to three resort-style casinos in Massachusetts. The administration estimates that one-time revenues from the licenses would be at least $600 million and that annual tax revenues from the casinos could be $400 million. Under the bill, the revenue would be used for transportation improvements and property tax relief.

The bill is before the Legislature's Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies. No hearing has been scheduled on the bill. An informal Globe survey in December indicated that 12 of 19 members of the committee were inclined to vote against the proposal unless wholesale changes were made. Three said they were leaning in favor of the proposal, and four said they were undecided.

State Representative Daniel E. Bosley, a cochairman of the committee who has repeatedly voiced opposition to the bill, declined to return calls yesterday for comment.

State Senator Jack Hart, the other cochairman, also declined to return a call seeking comment.

A Patrick administration spokeswoman praised the new coalition yesterday, saying it "shows the growing support for this important economic development initiative as it moves towards a full and open debate."

"We appreciate the active support of this group in spreading the word about the important economic development, jobs, and revenue benefits of destination resort casinos," said Kofi Jones, spokeswoman for the Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development.

Casino Free Mass said yesterday that it will step up its fund-raising efforts to compete with the new lobbying group.

Spokesman Doug Bailey said he expects the procasino lobbyists to be well financed, given the potential revenue at stake for developers.

Bailey said his group is producing an advertising campaign, but has not decided when or how it will unfold.

Donovan Slack can be reached at dslack@globe.com.