Legislators Unsure About Casinos in Central Mass.
PHOTO/BRANDON BUTLER
Nine state and federal lawmakers discuss public policy at the Corridor Nine Area Chamber of Commerce Legislative Breakfast Thursday morning in Westborough.
State legislators appearing at breakfast this morning in Westborough seemed hesitant about pursuing expanded gaming in the state and especially about possibly hosting a resort-style casino in Central Massachusetts.
Nine state and federal lawmakers gathered at the DoubleTree Hotel for the Corridor Nine Area Chamber of Commerce's Legislative Breakfast this morning.
Health care, stimulus funding and U.S. Sen.-elect Scott Brown's surprise victory earlier this month were all points of discussion.
But the prospect of resort casinos being developed in Central Massachusetts drew significant attention.
State Rep. Danielle Gregoire, D-Marlborough, vehemently discounted rumors that plans have been discussed for hosting a casino in Marlborough. She said she's heard of no formal or informal proposals and that recent zoning changes by the city council would likely prohibit a casino from being allowed in the city.
Other legislators had varying views.
State Rep. George Peterson, R-Grafton, said he would support "racinos," or the idea of installing slot machines at already-existing race tracks around the state.
But State Sen. Michael Moore, D-Millbury, said he would prefer to see resort-style casinos instead of "racinos" because construction of new large complexes would create more immediate and long-term jobs and revenue.
State Rep. Carolyn Dykema, D-Holliston, who represents two communities that neighbor Milford, which has been proposed as a site for a casino, said it is important that surrounding communities get compensated for the cost of having a casino in their backyard.
Budget Woes
State Rep. Karyn Polito, R-Shrewsbury, expressed skepticism about Gov. Deval Patrick's budget for next fiscal year, questioning why he is expecting a 3.5 percent growth in revenues. Polito said Patrick is putting local aid to cities and towns in jeopardy by not having a more conservative budget.
U.S. Rep. James McGovern, D-Worcester, attended the breakfast as well and said he would support President Barack Obama in creating a new "Jobs Bill," for which Obama advocated during his State of the Union Address Wednesday night.
After the breakfast McGovern said he would support targeted investments in clean energy markets and additional local aid for cities and towns to save or create jobs. He also floated the idea of a payroll tax credit that would forgive businesses from paying a 6.2 percent social security tax for the remainder of the year if that company hires a worker who has been unemployed for more than six months.
McGovern also predicted that a national health insurance reform bill still will be passed, even though the election earlier this month of Brown in Massachusetts lost the Democrat's supermajority in the U.S. Senate.
State Sen. Harriet Chandler, D-Worcester, said Brown's election to the Senate should be a "wake-up call" to Democrats around the country.
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