Some mayors back slots-at-tracks proposal
A dozen Massachusetts mayors wrote to House Speaker Robert DeLeo on Tuesday to voice their support for his expanded gambling plan that includes adding slot machines at the state's racetracks.
The mayors said slots would provide up to $100 million in immediate aid for cities and towns, money they say is vital after a 4 percent cut in state aid to cities and towns this year.
"With the end of many federal stimulus programs and full economic recovery many years away, we are in search of new sources of revenue for our residents and communities," the mayors wrote.
They said prior cuts in tax revenue and state aid have already forced layoffs, especially among teachers, firefighters and police officers.
"Approving this bill, with a slots provision, will save jobs and improve our communities," the mayors said.
DeLeo is backing the slots plan as a means of saving the state's racing industry and its workers, as well as to provide an immediate burst of revenue to state and community coffers. The Winthrop Democrat's legislative district includes two of the tracks, Suffolk Downs and Wonderland.
Gov. Deval Patrick and Senate President Therese Murray oppose the plan. They favor up to three resort-style casinos and say placing slot machines at the racetracks will undercut them. They also say awarding slots to tracks amounts to issuing a no-bid contract.
The dispute has become a sticking point in conference committee negotiations trying to resolve differences in House and Senate gambling legislation.
Melrose Mayor Robert Dolan took the lead in signing the mayors' letter. Besides Dolan, mayors Joseph Sullivan of Braintree; Lisa Wong of Fitchburg; Richard Howard of Malden; William Scanlon of Beverly; Thomas Ambrosino of Revere; Thomas Koch of Quincy; Carlo DeMaria of Everett; Kevin Dumas of Attleborough; James Fiorintini of Haverhill; Charles Crowley of Taunton; and Michael Bissonette of Chicopee signed the letter.
The letter was distributed to the media by DeLeo's office.
