RSSPatrick’s Block of Casinos in Massachusetts was Prickly Politics
Aug 13
Politics and Nation Comments Off
Two weeks ago, Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick cockblocked a bill that would have approved resort casino development in the state as well as slot machine licensing for non-casino properties. Patrick timed his rejection of the bill for the end of legislative session, effectively killing any chance for a compromise. The legislature would had to have convened a special session to either override Patrick’s objections or redraft the bill to meet his concessions. The special session did not happen, was never expected to, and casino gambling in the state was pushed off for at least another year.
Patrick’s emphatic contention that he would not award slot machine concessions to racetracks was political posturing. The question is why would he bother at all when he trumpeted the benefits of casino development in the first place, arguing that the increase in jobs and potential gaming revenue more than made up for any potential downside. Did he gain any ground with the anti-gambling crusaders looking to save the state from itself? As recently as the end of last month, he still seemed, if not enthusiastic, at least partial to bringing resort-style gambling to the state. Additionally, his decision to block the bill (particularly at the last second) surely pissed off the labor unions to whom he promised new job creation as a result of casino development. So who’s left to be impressed by his stalemate?
To voters, does the move to block the bill mark Patrick as a decisive politician? After all, he was at least consistent in his message that he would not support outfitting racetracks with slot machines. His actions certainly mirrored his rhetoric on that point. Or does Patrick come across as a political meanderer, wandering this way and that on thorny political issues in order to appease everyone just enough to stay on his side? It doesn’t help that other states are pushing forward voraciously with new gambling facilities. New York City approved the first slot machines in city limits at a racetrack in Queens, and after Ohio voters approved gambling in the state last fall, Harrah’s Entertainment has already committed $600 million to developing casino properties in downtown Cleveland and Cincinnati.
Two weeks later, it appears the answer is simply that Patrick was trying to lay the groundwork for his reelection in the fall. It’s certainly the most believable explanation for a turnabout that looks hypocritical and politically calamitous. And as there is no doubt that the move was deliberate, it was more than a little spiteful too. Remember, this is the second time that gambling has been on the legislative agenda. The legislature failed to pass a gambling bill two years ago, and constituents across the state have been begging for someone to throw some political clout behind the issue. Patrick was claiming to be that heavyweight fighter ready to go into the ring for gambling in Massachusetts.
The question now is who was victorious after this most recent bout? It’s hard to look at this as a complete victory for opponents of gambling. It appears to have delayed gambling in the state, not a buried the issue permanently. Patrick still has a fight ahead of him, with neither side of the issue completely in his corner. Voters have a stake too because they are faced with their own prickly decision. Does reelecting Patrick give them a better chance or a worse chance to see gambling approved in the state of Massachusetts? By rejecting the bill the way he did, it’s not just Patrick’s reelection at risk, more than ever, it’s an entire Commonwealth with someone to lose.
Andrew Marx is the author of On 21: The Philosophy of Blackjack, available from amazon.com and other retailers.
