A Massachusetts casino and gambling expansion bill passed both chambers of the Legislature yesterday with overwhelming support, despite threats by Gov. Deval Patrick to veto the legislation.
But state Rep. Brian Dempsey, D-Haverhill, the House's lead negotiator on the bill, remained optimistic last night of the bill becoming law even if Patrick vetoes it.
"If the governor vetoes the legislation, the House would come back into session and override the veto," Dempsey said in a telephone interview from Beacon Hill. "The Senate is close (to overriding) and only needs a couple of more votes."
The House passed the bill 115-36, and the Senate backed the legislation by a slimmer margin — 25-15 — two votes short of what is needed for the two-thirds vote necessary for a successful override.
The bill, which proposes the greatest expansion of gambling in the state in four decades, would authorize three casinos and two slot machine parlors that would be bid on by the state's four racetrack owners.
Currently, Massachusetts allows lottery games, horse racing and simulcasting of out-of-state horse and dog races.
Patrick, who is opposed to slot parlors, said he could accept one, provided that it would be up for bid for anyone, instead of limiting the licenses to the racetracks.
"A lot is a bit fluid right now. We have to wait to see how it plays out," Dempsey said last night as he prepared for the final hours of the final day of the legislative session. "There are a few options. The governor can veto the legislation, or let the bill become law in 10 days without his signature. Or, the governor can sign it and help create 15,000 new jobs.
"Right now, we'll wait to see how the governor proceeds. Hopefully, he doesn't amend the legislation. For the governor to amend it this late in the game, it effectively kills the bill."
At a press conference last night, House Speaker Robert DeLeo called on the governor to sign the bill, veto it or let it become law without his signature.
Surrounded by dozens of members of the Massachusetts House, DeLeo delivered an impassioned challenge to Patrick, who had left open the possibility of last-minute negotiations.
He said Patrick must let the bill become law or take responsibility for the loss of thousands of potential jobs.
"Make no mistake about this," DeLeo said. "Anything short of Governor Patrick signing this bill represents a decision to kill the prospect of 15,000 new jobs and bring immediate local aid to cities and towns.
"At the very least, the governor should be straightforward with his intentions and veto it, and if he does, this House is well-prepared to override that veto," DeLeo said, drawing applause from his members.
Since last night was the final night of scheduled formal sessions for the year, that override would require a special formal session, which requires two-thirds support in both chambers. Senate leaders say they are uncertain whether they could garner that support.
Patrick has said he would not support a second racino license set aside for the state's four racetracks, criticizing the promise of licenses for racetracks.
The governor said yesterday he intended to send lawmakers a gambling bill amendment reducing the number of slots facilities from two to one and unshackling the racino license bidding from racetracks to an open market.
"If that is what is sent to me, then I expect to send back an amendment," Patrick said during an afternoon press conference, referring to the bill that legislators were processing. "If I accept the one slots position, that at a minimum has to be as openly and as transparently competitive as the casino licenses."
Patrick drew heavy criticism from House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones Jr., R-North Reading.
"If expanding gaming in the Commonwealth was indeed important to Governor Patrick, he should have made a real effort to persuade members of the Legislature, the Democratic-controlled Legislature, to support his bill," said Bradley, recalling the governor's 2008 casino legislation.
Bradley, who voted yesterday for the casino legislation, noted the governor "couldn't even be bothered to be in the state during debate" of the 2008 legislation.
"Instead, Governor Patrick, showing his true colors, was in New York signing a book deal to grow his personal wealth, which certainly did not benefit the citizens of Massachusetts," he said.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
