(NECN: Greg Wayland, Boston, Mass.) - Supporters and critics of casino gambling returned to the Massachusetts State House on Tuesday, as lawmakers listened to testimony on a Senate proposal that would license three resort-style casinos in the Bay State.
This Senate panel hearing was one a 142-page draft on the Senate version of the bill. The House overwhelmingly passed its gaming bill in April.
State Sen. Jack Hart pressed hard for estimates on construction and longterm job creation, something the governor's secretary of economic development was unable to deliver.
"I just don't have it available to me, and the risk that I would say some numbers now that I couldn't support later -- I don't want to get into that," Gregor Bialecki said.
The state senator said he can respect the fact the numbers have yet to be tabulated, but asked Bialecki to get them "quickly," since they are key to any decision.
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The CEO of Mohegan Sun said he is ready to put a casino in Western Massachusetts.
"At a resort facility, we'll have jobs. Everyone from food and beverage workers to advertising," Jeffrey Hartmann said.
A state lawmaker who said he is the son of a compulsive gambler made his case for the opposition.
"We justify this with jobs, but we're trading those jobs for something -- we're destroying families. Don't forget that, we're going to destroy families," Rep. Matthew Patrick said.
The Wampanoag Tribe before the hearing made the case for a casino where they have land in Fall River.
