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Casinos Bill Takes a Blow

A key legislative committee has voted against Gov. Deval Patrick's proposal to build three resort-style casinos in Massachusetts, all but dooming the bill this session.

The 10-8 vote by the Joint Committee on Economic Development, which came after a four hour delay, paves the way for a vote in the House of Representatives as soon as Thursday. If the bill is defeated then, it couldn't be brought back until next year. One committee member abstained from voting.

The committee vote followed a marathon public hearing Tuesday, where members of the committee heard from opponents and supporters, including Patrick, who all but conceded the bill was heading for likely defeat.

Patrick blamed the expected defeat in part on pressure from House leaders, including Speaker Salvatore DiMasi, the chief critic of the casino plan.

This program aired on March 19, 2008. The audio for this program is not available.

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