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Amendment Aims to Give Voters Voice on Casino Issue

The voters in Massachusetts would get the opportunity to inform Gov. Deval Patrick of their opinion regarding his casino plan on February 5th, 2008, the date propose for the presidential primary in the state, under a proposal endorsed by two legislators who backed the casino licensing plan of Gov. Patrick.

Senator Michael W. Morrissey of Quincy and Representative Brian P. Wallace of South Boston, both from the Democrat Party, will try to modify a bill that is scheduled for review in the state Senate and in the House next week that would change Massachusetts presidential primary from March 4th, 2008 to February 5th, 2008.

The planned amendment calls for a non-binding resolution that would ask the voters the question: "Are you in favor of the casino plan for Massachusetts?" The move puts the attention in the casino debate on the House and Senate officials, who will now have to think on whether to give permission to their members to study the plan. Senate President Therese Murray, a casino backer commented that she will give permission to the debate and is looking forward to the different inputs in the discussion.

But House Speaker Salvatore F. DiMasi is not joining the discussion. His spokesperson, David Guarino, would not comment on whether the speaker will permit the amendment to come to the floor. Representative Daniel E. Bosley, a Democrat from North Adams and chairman of the Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies and the Legislature's leading gaming critic commented that the speaker could decide that the amendment is out of order if it is not related to the original presidential primary bill.

House regulations prohibit members from giving amendments that with issues not contained in the first bill. House clerk Steven James said that they are very strict with their rules. A legislative vote on the primary bill could give the first evidence of how Gov. Patrick's casino plan might fare if it comes for a vote in the state House by next year.

Bosley said that a non-binding vote would not help legislators to decide on whether or not to allow casinos in the state of Massachusetts. Secretary of State William F. Galvin, who proposed changing the presidential primary, commented that changing the date to February 5th, 2008 would give the voters in the state a lot of voice in the presidential politics. February 5th, would become the national primary day.

Earlier this month, voters from 3 communities-Pittsfield, Worcester and Chicopee-approved a non-binding ballot question approving the casinos. Gov. Patrick's proposal requires the approval of the community. The governor said that the three casino facilities would produce 20,000 jobs and $400 in annual tax profits. His spokesperson declined to comment on the issue.

 

Sunday, December 02 , 2007
Edward O'Connor