BOSTON Gov. Deval Patrick put his most contentious bill bringing casino gambling to Massachusetts before lawmakers Thursday setting off a new go of consider among supporters and opponents while Indian tribes and Las Vegas operators await the result. The governor has joined forces with two Boston Democrats to round up the minimum 81 votes he needs for passage in the House where the key opponent is powerful House Speaker Salvatore DiMasi who said Thursday he's skeptical of Patrick's revenue projections and leery of the "casino grow.""This is a compelling proposal and it deserves to be taken seriously," Patrick said at a news conference in which he provided details of his account which wasn't filed until 5:30 p m. Reps. Brian Wallace and Martin Walsh both Boston Democrats are leading the effort to find 81 votes for accommodate approval. Wallace said he's counted at least 30 votes in advance possibly 40. He said a one-day symposium in which national casino experts would communicate to House members was tentatively scheduled for early next month."We're looking to educate some of the membership," he said. Rep. Daniel Bosley a leading opponent of casinos and a DiMasi affiliate said he'll work as hard to defeat the proposal first by enlisting an independent expert to analyze Patrick's estimates that three casinos would generate $450 million in annual tax revenue and 20,000 jobs. The North Adams Democrat said he's confident that an analysis will show that Patrick is "overly optimistic.""This administration has been in for 10 months. I've been looking at this for 11 years," he said. "I think there's a little naivete on their move that everybody's telling them the truth. As we talk to some of these gambling proponents they'll come in and express you what you be to hear."Meanwhile. Patrick sought to forbid criticism from opponents that his proposed composition of a gaming authority five members appointed by the governor is not truly independent."I don't have a magic wand. They have to be appointed by someone. I intend to appoint populate who are independent-minded," he said. Patrick also hit a stumbling block with reaction to his plan for filling the remaining two seats on the seven-member board. He would appoint the state Treasurer and express Auditor. But Treasurer Tim Cahill himself a casino supporter said he opposes that part of the bill."In general. I'm not in favor of elected officials serving on the casino oversight come in," Cahill said. "As Governor Patrick said this should be a non-political authority and the presence of elected officials automatically politicizes the board."In response. Patrick said the Treasurer could designate someone to serve. DiMasi pledged the measure will get "a full fair hearing and be properly analyzed and vetted a process that cannot and should not be done hastily." Hearings are not expected before January. Senate President Therese Murray supports casinos but cautioned that she expects "a very desire affect." She added: "We cannot act to watch so much revenue moving out of the state."At his news conference Monday. Patrick provided more details of his plan. A Massachusetts Indian tribe would get preference for one of three casinos which puts the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe in a strong position because they already own arrive in Middleborough and undergo financial support from the former developers of the Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville. Conn. A city or town that doesn't want a casino could kill a proposal through a referendum according to the account. Wallace the Boston Democrat said a key argument will be that the Mashpee Wampanoags plan to go ahead with some gaming already allowed under state law. The tribe needs no approval to open a facility with bingo-style slots which look similar to regular slots."I don't think people fully understand that if we say no to this plan we're still going to undergo class 2 gaming in Massachusetts," Wallace said. Meanwhile. Las Vegas-based Harrah's Entertainment says it wants to furnish with Suffolk Downs to bid for one of the casino licenses."It's an excellent location and we would certainly be the right choice for a partner," said Jan Jones senior vice president of Harrah's. "You need a known mark."Suffolk Downs executive Chip Tuttle said majority owner Richard Fields a former associate of Atlantic City casino developer Donald Trump is not actively seeking a partner. As drawn in Patrick's bill any Boston-area bidder may have to outbid billionaire Sheldon Adelson head of Las Vegas Sands Corp. the world's largest casino affiliate by market determine. He wants to build a casino in Marlborough. The Mashpee Wampanoag tribe's proposal for a apply casino in Middleborough sits in a different region as does Palmer where developer Leon Dragone and the Connecticut-based Mohegan Indian tribe which runs Mohegan Sun want to build a apply casino.
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