Patrick Defends Casino Plan

Governor Deval Patrick detailed his proposal to bring as many as three resort-style casinos to Massachusetts today.

In a news conference in his offices, Patrick said the plan would include a 12-member council made up of community members that would serve as a "sounding board" for casino issues.

The plan would add a new enforcement arm to the Office of the Attorney General to specifically deal with casino issues.

It also calls for a 7-member board that would oversee casino gambling, with Treasurer Tim Cahill and State Auditor Joe DeNucci serving as two of those members.

The other five members would be appointed by the governor.

Patrick today defended the makeup of the board, which has drawn early criticism from Cahill for including elected officials. Cahill says that could cause a conflict of interest.

"I think it would be hard to think seriously about an authority that didn't attempt to include the chief financial officer of the Commonwealth, and the person who has experience from his oversight of the lottery," said Patrick.

Patrick said he did not know what kind of impact his proposal would have on the state's racetracks.