Mass. Lawmakers Start Expanded Casino Gaming Debate
BOSTON (AP) -- The Massachusetts House of Representatives has started debating the gambling bill that would bring three casinos and a slot parlor to the state.
Democrat Rep. Joseph Wagner of Chicopee began the debate Wednesday afternoon by touting the thousands of jobs and hundreds of millions in tax revenues he says expanded gaming would generate.
Before the debate, House Minority Leader Brad Jones, a North Reading Republican who supports expanded gaming, said his vote would depend on which of the more than 150 amendments are adopted during the debate.
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Lana Jones reports.
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House Democrats met in a closed-door caucus Tuesday to discuss the bill and its amendments.
Democratic House Speaker Robert DeLeo of Winthrop says lawmakers would consider any amendments that make the bill stronger. He says he's confident of House passage.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
