Gov. Patrick Sends Back Casino Bill After Harkins, Others Vote to Pass

Lawmakers attempting to bring casinos to the Commonwealth have hit a roadblock as Governor Deval Patrick has sent a gambling bill back to legislature. The potential law would affect towns across the state and has garnered some opinion within Needham.

The proposal that came across Patrick's desk on Aug. 2 included the call for three resort-style casinos to be licensed by the state, as well as the inclusion of slot parlors at two of the state's racetracks. Patrick sent back the proposal, citing his belief that such venues would help erode the moral fiber of the state and that approving such a measure would "set aside the long-term, best economic and social interests of the Commonwealth," as heard at a campaign event in Boston this week.

The bill passed through the House and Senate last week, with both Rep. Lida Harkins (D-Needham) and Sen. Richard Ross (R-Wrentham) voting in the affirmative.

"I am deeply disappointed by Governor Patrick's choice to amend the expanded gaming bill sent to him by the Legislature late Saturday night," Ross said in a statement. "This decision shows unwillingness on his part to cooperate with his colleagues in the Legislative branch."

Harkins has said in the past that she would support such a bill, if it had a positive impact on local aid.

"Having visited every part of this district, I must tell you that job creation and the economy has to be the number one issue," she said during a February debate against State Senate candidate Peter Smulowitz, adding that money should be set aside to combat gambling addictions related to casinos and that the construction of the casinos should be completed by Massachusetts workers.

The subject of gambling and, more specifically, casinos in Massachusetts recently came up at the Republican debate for the State Representative seat.

Joshua Levy contended that the state already allows gambling in the form of The Lottery and that Needham residents should have the ability to spend their money "as they please."

"They should be free to go to a casino and spend money on a casino, if that is what they so choose," he added.

John O'Leary stated that he also believed that "adults ought to be able to dispose of their money as they see fit," but he doubts the economical strength of casinos in the state.

"No one should expect this to bring in significant revenue," he said. "This is a sign of desperation from the Democrats on Beacon Hill."

Proponents of the bill have gone on record as saying that as many as 15,000 new jobs could be created through casinos and slots and that Mass. revenue is being lost to other states like Connecticut (which houses Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun).

However, bill detractors, like Governor Patrick, have said that casinos breed seedy behavior in the way of drugs, crime and gambling addiction and some have doubted the validity of revenue projections for Mass.

The House passed the bill last week by a vote of 115-36. The Senate, meanwhile, voted 25-15. Lawmakers who approve of the plan must now decide if they want to amend the bill sent back by Patrick. A two-thirds vote would be required to revisit the subject.

As lawmakers decide their next move, Sen. Ross believes that Patrick has sabotaged any chance the bill had of passing.

"Governor Patrick knows how Beacon Hill works and he knows sending this bill back amended means the bill is as good as dead," Ross said. "Governor Patrick has not only let the employees at the race tracks down, he has let the people of the Commonwealth down as well."