House Speaker DeLeo On Gambling, Jobs, Guns

On Wednesday, Gov. Deval Patrick signs a $27 billion budget that includes a 4 percent cut to cities and towns. The fiscal 2011 budget achieves a fine balance with a $200 million dip in to the state's "rainy day" fund.

There are some who say that the state wouldn't have to dip into that fund if one bill in particular can make it through the legislature: a proposal to legalize casino gambling in Massachusetts. The House recently passed a major gaming bill by a veto-proof margin — but similar legislation is currently stuck in Day 6 of debate in the Senate. Senate President Therese Murray said lawmakers may have to work through the upcoming holiday weekend to get the bill passed.

Joining us to talk about casinos, the budget and his leadership on Beacon Hill is the speaker of the House of Representatives, Robert DeLeo, who first introduced the bill to legalize casinos.

Listeners, are you finally ready for casinos in Massachusetts? Do you support DeLeo's idea for so-called racinos in Massachusetts? Tell us in the comments.

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