Gov. Patrick to outline casino favorites
Gov. Deval Patrick says granting slot machine licenses to the state's racetrack owners would be tantamount to awarding them a lucrative no-bid contract.
Underscoring his opposition to slots, the governor said Wednesday he would be sitting down with his legislative team to outline what parts of proposed casino gambling legislation are acceptable to him and which parts will need to be worked out in a legislative conference committee.
The governor said such guidance is necessary if the House and Senate hope to produce a bill that doesn't trigger a veto by him amid a dwindling legislative calendar. A House-Senate conference committee is now trying to resolve differences in the legislation before both chambers conclude formal sessions for the year on July 31.
The House passed a bill allowing slot machines at race tracks. The Senate has passed one that does not.
House Speaker Robert DeLeo, whose legislative district includes two tracks, is lobbying for slots. A majority of conference committee members also support them.
Patrick opposes slot machines, saying they will undercut demand for the up to three resort-style casinos he says will spur broader and more permanent job creation. The no-bid comment offered another line of criticism.
"We're talking about taking two or three track owners and giving them a very valuable license to operate a business without any competition at all, and I don't think those issues have been worked out," the governor said during a radio broadcast.
Patrick praised DeLeo as "a good speaker" and noted the Winthrop Democrat had urged him to keep an open mind about slots, "but three of us, meaning the speaker, the Senate President (Therese Murray) and I, alone, have not had a conversation about this on the merits, and that's something we're going to try to do."
DeLeo said Wednesday he has indeed discussed slots with the governor, and he intends to have further discussions going forward.
"I think in the days and weeks ahead I am looking forward to having a whole lot more substantive discussions with the Senate president and the governor with the hopes that in the next 10 days we can get this legislation done," he said.
The House approved a plan that would allow up to 750 slots at the state's four racetracks.
DeLeo said he does not believe slots at the racetracks would amount to no-bid contracts. He said the tracks will have to apply for potential licenses to offer slots and prove their worth.
Slots at the state's four racetracks would bring in $100 million to be distributed in local aid next fiscal year and save 600 to 1,000 jobs statewide, according to House estimates.
"We need to save jobs now, and we need to send local aid to our communities," DeLeo said.
Suffolk Downs, a horse track in East Boston, is one potential location for slot machines. The racetrack has also announced plans to compete for a resort-style casino license.
Track officials said Tuesday that a casino at their site would include up to 5,000 slot machines, more than 200 table games, restaurants and shops.
DeLeo said Suffolk Downs, which is in his district, will receive no special preference for a casino license.
