Deadline looming for final casino bill
Massachusetts House and Senate negotiators are telling their staff to begin work drafting a final casino bill even though they've yet to break a logjam on the most critical issues dividing the two legislative bodies.
Senate Ways and Means Chairman Steven Panagiotakos said both sides have agreed on smaller issues but have yet to broker a deal on how many casinos to license and whether to allow slots at the state's four racetracks.
Legislatives leaders shuttled most of the day between the offices of House Speaker Robert DeLeo, who supports racetrack slots, and Senate President Therese Murray, who is opposed.
Earlier in the day Senate leaders said they needed an agreement on the broad outlines of the bill Wednesday night.
The Legislature's formal session end Saturday.
