Related: Against All Odds: Highs, Lows, and Lies
Yeah, they are doing it again.
And why is it so darn chilly outside this morning. It is only August 1st.
My last hand:
"Casino showdown ends in discord; Historic vote faces Patrick rejection; DeLeo, irate, lashes out at governor" by Andrea Estes and Kathy McCabe, Globe Staff | August 1, 2010
A casino bill won overwhelming approval in the Legislature yesterday, endorsed by nearly three-quarters of the state’s lawmakers, yet it appeared all but doomed because of a lingering disagreement between the governor and legislative leaders as the session’s midnight deadline passed....
More posturing and politicking.
In the end, two missing votes may spell the demise of casino gambling in Massachusetts, at least until the next legislative session begins in January.
Once it is the ground with dirt on it I will believe it.
So who is staying behind to work on it?
House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo made a last-minute appeal to Governor Deval Patrick, exhorting him to sign the bill or face the consequences.
That sounds like a THREAT to me!
“Make no mistake about it, anything short of Governor Patrick signing this bill represents a decision to kill the prospects of 15,000 new jobs and bring immediate local aid to our cities and towns,’’ said DeLeo, with 100 lawmakers standing behind him.
The House and Senate “tried to get a deal done,’’ DeLeo said. “We have found a way to work together. We are calling on the governor of the Commonwealth to try to find a way to work together as well.’’
Instead, Patrick, who still had not received the bill from the Legislature at 12:30 this morning, said he would send back an amendment that eliminates slot parlors completely, retaining only the three resort casinos that were in his original casino bill filed three years ago....
And here he was going to give you one.
I'd say DeLeo's threat pissed Deval off.
The eleventh-hour vote capped a week of growing suspense about the fate of casino gambling in Massachusetts, as lawmakers and the governor staked out ever-closer but still-conflicting positions....
Oh, yeah, I've been enthralled by the s*** fooleys.
In both chambers, the gambling debate was emotional but relatively short, lasting minutes not hours....
Something THIS IMPORTANT and it only took MINUTES?
Representative Brian S. Dempsey, Democrat of Haverhill, who worked on the compromise bill, said the legislation would create a “new sector’’ that will generate thousands of jobs and ’’significant revenue.’’
Yup, a GROWING CRIME $ECTOR!
But opponents said the bill would do little to improve the economy and will dramatically increase the number of gambling addicts in Massachusetts.
“This isn’t like alcohol,’’ said Representative Ruth B. Balser, Democrat of Newton. “It’s more like crack cocaine and heroin. We certainly could raise some revenue by legalizing those drugs and could probably put some people to work.’’
Yup.
But....
Representative Steven J. D’Amico, Democrat of Seekonk, said “gambling doesn’t create wealth. It takes wealth away. It’s a sad commentary on the state of affairs when casinos, racinos, slot machines are considered economic development.
“Today, I’m embarrassed. I’m ashamed and I’m sad,’’ he said....
Yeah, you nailed my mood, sir.
Patrick, who is seeking reelection, alienated many of his supporters when he came out in favor of casino gambling three years ago. His firm stance on slot parlors could help improve his image with supporters, but his role in possibly defeating the expansion of gambling threatens to antagonize another of his reliable constituencies labor unions, which have lobbied hard in favor of an expanded gambling measure in any form....
Then his reelection is in deep s***.
Robert J. Haynes, president of the Massachusetts AFL-CIO. said: “There is literally no other option but to pass this legislation and give workers the hope that comes with these construction and permanent job prospects.’’
Yeah, here is big pile of hope you can use for a roof as well as a plate of it for dinner.
See: Things Are Tough All Over in Massachusetts
Enjoy, Bay-Stater!
More hope on the way!
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