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Casino Debate Heats Up in Massachusetts
BOSTON --
The debate over casino gambing in Massachusetts is heating up as House Speaker Salvatore DiMasi sends a new 3-page letter to colleagues bashing Governor Deval Patrick's proposal. The two men have been battling over economic policies and ways to stimulate the state economy. Governor Patrick is pushing for casino expansion as he claims the gaming industry will provide thousands of jobs for state residents and a boat-load of additional revenue. On the other side of the fence, Speaker DiMasi is pushing for advancements in areas like stem cell research and the film industry.
DiMasi said in his letter, "Do we want to bring a culture of gambling to our state, one with bankruptcies, crime, and misfortune?"
DiMasi is a major opponent of casino expansion inside Massachusetts. He believes any economic improvements made through casino expansion will be temporary and short-lived.
Governor Patrick argues the casinos would create thousands of construction jobs and 20,000 full-time permanent jobs and generate $200 million in fees per license plus an estimated $400 million a year in new revenues. Mr. DiMasi calls Governor Patrick's revenue estimations unrealistic and false promises supplied by snake-skin oil salesmen in the casino industry.
Both sides of the debate are focusing in on a much anticipated public hearing scheduled for next week before the Joint Committee on Economic Development on the casino bill. The committee will hear from both sides before deciding whether to recommend lawmakers approve or reject the bill. Ultimately, voters in Massachusetts will decide whether or not to accept the new casinos.
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