Beacon Hill business as usual

Beacon Hill business as usual

The casino legislation unveiled this week on Beacon Hill came together in the usual fashion that invites cynicism from Massachusetts voters. Follow the money to see how it goes from here.

The bill authorizing three Las Vegas-style casinos in three regions and a fourth gambling hall with slot machines that can be located anywhere in the state was evidently crafted by House Speaker Robert DeLeo, Senate President Therese Murray, Governor Deval Patrick, the staffs of the three political heavyweights and a couple of key legislators. It has been dumped in the laps of the rank-and-file as a fait accompli. Legislative leaders were admirably frank this week in saying the intent was to avoid the debate that surrounded gambling legislation a year ago, but debate is a part of democracy, and the crafting of legislation behind closed doors Beacon Hill-style is the antithesis of democracy.

To his credit, Governor Patrick rejects donations from gambling lobbyists, and when some have gotten through the money has been returned. Speaker DeLeo and President Murray don't feel compelled to do so, and as the Boston Globe reported Thursday, both have received a portion of the $1 million in donations spent by gambling lobbyists in Boston already this year. President Murray told the newspaper that lobbying donations "will have no bearing on how we approach gaming legislation" and she may sincerely believe that, but why would any resident of Massachusetts given the success lobbyists have enjoyed in pushing special interest legislation over the years?

Ideally, lawmakers will rise up against this bill because of the many negatives associated with gambling and because of the way the bill was crafted and presented, but that may be too much to hope for. Failing that, as many provisions as possible must be included to protect communities. Unfortunately, there are no safeguards in place for the weeks and months ahead when the big casino interests will be descending upon the state.

Gambling interests in Holyoke and Palmer are competing for the western casino and the chosen site will have an impact on Berkshire County, particularly its entertainment venues, should the bill become law. Damage will be done, but the Berkshire delegation must step up to help minimize it as much as possible.