Yesterday's Rally for Slot Machines was Failure
Did Our Coverage Yesterday Give Several Mayors Cold Feet?
       On the steps of the Statehouse yesterday, supporters of expanded gaming and slot machines hoped to deliver a message to Speaker DiMasi that it was high time to vote on slot machines at the four racetracks in the state.  But it came up bust when they failed to deliver two of the three mayors slated to speak at the rally.  The only one who attended had nothing to say.   With just over 100 hundred in attendance, Mayors Timothy Murray (Worcester) and Edward “Chip” Clancy (Lynn) were absent, and Brockton Mayor James Harrington was speechless. Thhe rally folded in the first round.
       All the politicians were aware before the rally started at 12:30 that MassNews is covering the story, even though neither the Globe nor the Herald said anything about it yesterday. 
       When questioned when the house might consider the gambling bill passed by the Senate, DiMasi simply replied “I haven’t thought about slots yet”.
       DiMasi has deferred the matter to Rep. Daniel Bosley, (D-N. Adams)  House chair of the Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies and an opponent of slot machines.  DiMasi has said he will wait until Bosley makes his recommendation. 
       Massachusetts News reported in 2003 how Bosley was a staunch, vocal opponent of gambling in this state.  (SEE STORY HERE)
       One of the issues that will no doubt be debated will be the economic impact, if any, that adding slots and other forms of gambling will have.  Proponents claim that adding the 8,000 slot machines will create 4,000 new jobs.  Since the slot machines are fully automated, and don’t require any type of attendant, most recognize that the number of jobs being claimed is a completely arbitrary figure. 
       Sen. Susan Tucker (D-Andover) stated: “Frankly, the racetrack industry has not been telling it straight to Massachusetts citizens and it’s time for the media and everyone else to call their bluff. ”