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House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo Urges Governor to Act on Casino Gambling Bill

The August 03, 2023, By Zane Plate

Wearied by the continued delays, House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo, backed by 1000 lawmakers, urged the Governor during a State House Press conference tonight to act on the final version of the casino gambling bill that the state is about to send to his desk.

"Make no mistake about this," DeLeo said. "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."

Although Speaker Patrick and the Legislature agree on licesnsing three casinos in the state of Massachusetts, they are at odds as to the number of slots parlors, and the bidding process for them.

DeLeo said that both chambers compromised on the bill, and that Patrick should be doing the same in order to ensure that the expanded casino gambling law becomes a reality, or be responsible for not creating some 15,000 jobs.

"Should the governor do anything less than to allow this bill to become law...it's going to be the people of the commonwealth of Massachusetts who are going to suffer for that decision," he said. "At the very least, the governor should be straightforward with his intentions and veto it, period. If he does, this House is prepared to override that veto."

The veto threat prompted applause from the assembled lawmakers, and DeLeo followed that up with more praise for his colleagues.

"I am proud to say we have found a way to work together. Now we are calling on the governor of the commonwealth to find a way to work together as well," DeLeo said. There was no immediate comment from Patrick's spokesman.

State Representative Donald Humason said the casino logjam will help GOP candidates for state office in November, as voters see the Democratic leadership failing to reach an agreement on their top economic priority.

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