Mass. governor says casino gambling bill `may yet come back'
BROOKLINE, Mass.—Despite a recent high-profile defeat, legislation to legalize casino gambling in Massachusetts "may yet come back," Gov. Deval Patrick said Wednesday.
Patrick said he wasn't basing his statement on the possible departure of House Speaker Salvatore DiMasi, a gambling opponent, but a confluence of other factors.
The Democrat told a Brookline Chamber of Commerce audience that an unyielding need for property tax relief, the possibility of slot machines at the state's racetracks and ongoing efforts by the Wampanoag Indians to build their own casino will reignite the discussions.
"There's a lot of interest in it, and issues that die in one session don't die a permanent death. They tend to come back over time," the governor said afterward.
Under one scenario, Patrick said, casino gambling supporters might try to expand the slot machine bill to include the resort-style casinos proposed by the governor. Patrick projected that his plan for three casinos would generate at least $600 million in licensing fees, $400 million in annual tax revenues and 20,000 permanent jobs.
DiMasi led the effort to kill the plan. The Boston Democrat argued the revenues would be offset by social and economic costs, including lost business at traditional tourist destinations.
More recently, though, potential successors have been jockeying for position as the speaker has faced allegations of ethical lapses. DiMasi has said he's not leaving and Patrick answered a flat "no" when asked whether his comments in Brookline were rooted in a suspicion the speaker would leave.
Yet on two occasions with his audience, the governor raised the prospect of a renewed gambling debate.
Patrick held fast to his support for the plan, despite criticism from one questioner, who labeled casino gambling "predatory."
The governor said he once had doubts about casinos, but he felt the gains outweighed the costs.
"It may yet come back in the Legislature. I acknowledge it's hard," he said of his plan.
Later, when asked about how to provide permanent property tax relief, the governor complained the House had rejected four ideas he proposed.
After ticking off his ideas for a 1 percent increases in the meals and hotels taxes, as well as closing a telecommunications tax loophole, he said, "Resort casinos have been rejected for the time being."
Moments later, Patrick added: "We've got to think of some better ideas than just moving the same revenues around."
A DiMasi spokeswoman refused comment.
