"State Senate approves casino bill" by Noah Bierman Globe Staff / October 14, 2011
The Massachusetts Senate approved casino gambling yesterday, setting the stage for Governor Deval Patrick to sign the measure by the end of this year, with slot machines arriving as early as 2012.
Proponents called it the culmination of a decades-long debate, and said the 24-14 vote offers an opportunity to recapture hundreds of millions of gambling dollars that have crossed state lines - mostly to casinos in Connecticut - as well as the jobs that accompany them.
“The must-haves for me are jobs, and that’s what it’s all about,’’ said Senate President Therese Murray, a Plymouth Democrat. “We have over 250,000 people out of work in the Commonwealth, and that’s why we’re doing this bill.’’
Opponents warned of spiking crime, increased addiction, and potential corruption, and said the state’s historic character would be forever compromised as local businesses are squeezed out by new competition.
“This is a fancy name for a tax on the poor,’’ said Senator Sonia Chang Diaz, a Jamaica Plain Democrat.
But the Senate’s vote put many of those arguments in the rearview mirror, at least at the state level....
The Senate bill differs from the House....
It includes a happy-hour provision to allow restaurants and bars around the state to provide free and discounted drinks, as a way to compete with casinos....
Oh, so the CASINOS COMING mean MORE DRUNK DRIVERS on the roads, huh?!!
Yeah, drunk driving i$ only $eriou$ when ¢ertain thing$ are not involved.
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Also see: Sunday Globe Special: Pennsylvania's Casinos and Political Corruption
Related:
"The owner of Suffolk Downs has donated thousands of dollars to charities closely associated with two Boston politicians whose support for its plans to build a full-scale casino has been crucial....
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And not to pick on Ronnie Bell, but...
"Governor’s aide had car accident before OUI arrest" October 06, 2011|By Travis Andersen and Miriam Valverde, Globe Staff | Globe Correspondent
A top aide to Governor Deval Patrick who was arrested on drunken driving charges early Sunday in Brookline was involved in a car accident a few hours earlier in Boston, police confirmed yesterday.
Ron Bell, senior adviser for community affairs, was in a two-car accident at the intersection of Stuart and Tremont streets at 12:28 a.m. Sunday, said Boston police Officer Eddy Chrispin. No one was injured, and no one was cited in the crash, Chrispin said. Police also said there was no indication of alcohol consumption.
Officers assisted both parties in the exchange of paperwork, police said.
“There was no reason to arrest him,’’ Chrispin said of Bell.
The new development came yesterday as Patrick revealed that Bell would remain on unpaid leave until the Brookline charges are resolved....
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Related: Calling On Bobby Orr For an Assist
