If the Massachusetts press has it right, things are looking good for Plainridge Racecourse
.
The Attleboro Sun Chronicle heads its slot story this morning, 'Slots at tracks sure bet,' and the lead of the story reads: 'If slot machines were racehorses they’d be rounding the far turn and heading for home. There’s really no question that slot machines are coming to Massachusetts, almost certainly including Plainville.'
The paper went on to call House Speaker Robert DeLeo 'the most powerful man in Massachusetts,' and says Governor Deval Patrick, who opposes the slots at tracks idea, will go along 'because he’s got to deal with DeLeo on bigger things like the budget and taxes.' The story says there will be debate over just how many slot machines go where, and perhaps how many casinos will be built, but that’s about all.
The Worcester Telegram & Gazette says DeLeo has scheduled a debate in the House to begin tomorrow on the bill and its 216 proposed amendments, and a vote is expected as early as Thursday of this week. The 172-page DeLeo bill was filed 10 days ago and the newspaper says Governor Patrick and other opponents 'have been frustrated by the fast track push' behind the measure.
Former opponents in the House have been switching to support the bill, and one of them -- Rep. Vincent Pedone -- said, “I’m flipping,” noting that economic times and shift in gambling availability were among the reasons. Another legislator, James J. O’Day, said, “I don’t think we can turn up our nose at the number of jobs it is going to generate,” adding that with so many jobless in the state many lawmakers were taking a different stance this time around.
The bill as it stands would tax track slots at 40%, compared to neighboring Connecticut’s 25%, but after three days of debate and with those 216 amendments who knows what will emerge.
(Harness Tracks of America)