MASS. CASINO DISPUTE LATEST (Update)

14 March 2008

Another study tabled


The "Battle of the Analysts" continued this week in Boston, where state governor Deval Patrick and House Speaker Salvatore DiMasi remain locked in acrimonious dispute over the desirability of introducing 3 new billion dollar land casinos to boost revenues and employment.

The latest organisation to table an estimate is the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce, and it seems to support many of the economic assumptions outlined by Patrick in his much challenged proposal to build three resort-style casinos in Massachusetts.

In the report released Thursday, the chamber says that by 2012 the casinos would generate up to $2.3 billion in gross revenues per year, leaving the state with up to $429 million in tax revenue.

The study also found the casinos would create up to 21 000 permanent jobs and up to 11 500 construction jobs, reports the Boston Globe newspaper.

While Patrick has been criticised for estimating the construction jobs at 30 000, the study bears out his projection of 20 000 permanent jobs and $400 million in annual state revenue.

The report looked at demand for casino gaming and tax revenues generated by casinos and created projections based on that analysis. Massachusetts is facing an existing $1.3 billion budget deficit, cities and towns are saying they don't have enough money for basic services and job creation is the focus of everyone from government leaders to chamber of commerce officials.

Casino gambling could address some of those problems, but critics argue it could create more of its own.

Come March 18, the decision will probably be made. The Joint Committee on Economic Development has scheduled a hearing on Patrick's proposal, and Speaker DiMasi said this past week he plans an up-or-down vote before the House completes budget deliberations in April.

That may explain the escalating intensity and devolving rhetoric among state politicos.

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