Casino foes frown at lobbyists
Casino opponents are urging lawmakers to resist the lobbying efforts of those they are calling "deep-pocketed, out-of-state casino bosses" hoping to influence the gambling debate in Massachusetts.
The president of United to Stop Slots in Massachusetts, Kathleen Norbut, says a flood of lobbying dollars is putting pressure on Gov. Deval Patrick and state lawmakers to approve a casino bill.
An Associated Press review found casino and gambling interests have spent about $1.8 million on lobbying in Massachusetts during the first six months of the year - nearly as much as was spent in all of 2009.
The lobbying dollars came from 30 companies and organizations, most of them outside of Massachusetts.
A six-member legislative panel is working to draft a final compromise version of the casino bill.
