Cahill Urges Patrick to Sign Casino Legislation

 

 

Massachusetts State Treasurer and Independent candidate for Governor Tim Cahill today blasted Governor Patrick for threatening to veto the legislature’s compromise gaming bill estimated to bring in 15,000 jobs and hundreds of millions of dollars of instant revenue.  With a $2 billion deficit already facing lawmakers this fiscal year and unemployment a critical issue for the Massachusetts middle class, Cahill urged Governor Patrick to put working families ahead of his partisan agenda.

“For two years in a row, the Governor has hemmed and hawed and stomped his feet arguing with the legislature about things that are harmful to the Massachusetts economy.  Last year he held up the legislative process in order to deliver the largest tax increases the state has seen in recent memory. Now, when faced with the opportunity to lend a hand to the working people of the Commonwealth by creating and protecting thousands of jobs and infusing billions of dollars into our economy, he is about to throw it all away,” said Cahill.

As Treasurer and Chairman of the State Lottery, Cahill first proposed casinos in May of 2007, citing that the Lottery had reached its level of maturity. He noted that the landscape was changing dramatically and that Massachusetts needed to capitalize on the hundreds of millions of dollars being spent at out-of-state gambling facilities.

“Three years ago I called for expanded gaming in Massachusetts as a needed measure to raise revenue.  In March of 2009, I again brought attention to the issue by proposing a combination of slots at the racetracks and resort-style casinos as the best approach for both immediate and long term success. Now the legislature has reached a compromise which includes both those elements.  I stand here today as the Treasurer of the Commonwealth and protector of our financial well being - united in support from legislators, working people and business owners alike. We collectively call on the Governor to provide the leadership that we need and sign this bill as it stands!”

On Friday afternoon Cahill congratulated lawmakers on reaching a compromise on the issue. 

 

“With the construction industry suffering, unemployment at record highs, and hundreds of millions of dollars leaving our state each year, not voting to compete in the area of expanded gaming would be yet another setback for Massachusetts. We need to create jobs, expand tourism - and most importantly - put our citizens back to work.”

 

Soon after the compromise was reached, the Governor stated he would veto any legislation with more than one slot parlor license included in the legislation.  

 

“Working men and women of Massachusetts are going to continue to suffer while Deval Patrick is playing politics, trying to appeal to his liberal elite base by raising taxes and impeding gaming.  If he vetoes this legislation, it will mark the low point of a very unsuccessful administration.  It will be the day the Governor will give up the ability to say that the recession is the result of outside forces.  When he vetoes this bill, the Governor will be the sole reason why 15,000 jobs were not created and why cities and towns did not receive the revenue they so desperately need.”