Massachusetts: Open Government = Public Spectacle

Lawmakers Set To Introduce Casino Bill


The effort to bring casinos to Massachusetts takes center stage on Beacon Hill Tuesday.

After months of quiet negotiations [Do you mean Secret Back Room Deals?] with Gov. Deval Patrick, legislative leaders, somewhat unexpectedly, are set to introduce a new bill that calls for three casinos and one slot machine parlor.

The Boston Globe reports that lawmakers worked with Patrick on the plan, as it was Patrick who torpedoed gambling last year. The negotiations have been between a small group of lawmakers and have been kept mostly out of the news, according to Kyle Cheney of the State House News Service.

“Their idea was to streamline their negotiations behind closed doors and not let it become this public spectacle,” Cheney told Morning Edition’s Bob Oakes.

Debate on the legislation is expected to take place next month.