Boston Area News

BOSTON (AP) ― Aides to Gov. Deval Patrick huddled with members of the Mashpee Wampanoag Indian tribe on Tuesday as they sought common ground over plans to bring casino gambling to Massachusetts, all while the governor ratcheted up his dispute with House Speaker Salvatore DiMasi over the plan.

In a rare end-around on a legislative leader, the governor wrote directly to all the members of DiMasi's chamber. He criticized their leader for blasting his proposal to license three resort-style casinos after the revelation it might not create the 30,000 construction jobs Patrick had estimated.

Arguing that the "speaker's alternative" was zero jobs, Patrick wrote: "At a time of economic uncertainty, we must be proactive about proposing ideas and reforms that boost economic activity and create jobs. Attacking ideas without proposing sound alternatives is not good economic policy, nor what the public expects or deserves."

The governor added: "If the speaker has other proposals that will generate the benefits of our legislation, including direct property tax relief for over one million households, I look forward to hearing them. Saying `no' to 20,000 permanent jobs, billions in economic activity and property tax relief without offering an alternative is not acceptable to your constituents or mine. This is a case where the cost of inaction is indeed too high."

DiMasi spokesman David Guarino said in response: "It's understandable that the governor is concerned since his numbers don't add up and he is losing credibility on this issue."

The Boston Globe reported over the weekend that Patrick's estimate was an extrapolation of one developed by Suffolk Downs, the East Boston horse track that is a casino proponent.
DiMasi, who had said he would give the proposal a fair hearing, dropped any pretense of support and labeled the estimate "absurd."

In a statement Monday, he added: "The governor clearly has the burden of convincing the Legislature that this casino plan should be adopted. So far, the case has not been made, the evidence isn't there and the governor's arguments for casinos are clearly losing credibility."

Patrick has proposed licensing three casinos across Massachusetts, a plan he says would generate $600 million in one-time licensing fees, $400 million in annual tax revenues and 20,000 permanent jobs.

The tribe has expressed interest in applying for one of the casino licenses, but it presently is seeking federal recognition to build its own casino on a 540-acre site it has secured in Middleborough.

Patrick has filed a challenge to the tribe's application, which could slow down the federal process, although administration officials are hoping the two sides can work together.

Among those attending the meeting in an office building behind the Statehouse were Dan O'Connell, secretary of economic development, and Shawn Hendricks, the tribe's chairman.

Afterward, Hendricks said the tribe would continue to work with the state but he ultimately thought the two sides would merge their efforts.

"We definitely want to work with the state," he said. "Our tribe members, we live here, we have friends here. It's commonsense that we would, you know, build a relationship. We don't want to come out in a negative light and come out in a controversy with anyone."

As to when he hopes the casino will be built, Hendricks said, "Three days ago," although he acknowledged the reality was a much longer process.

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