After Heated Hearing, Senate Weighs Gambling Legislation

The state Senate has plenty of comments to consider following Tuesday's lengthy and heated public hearing on casino gambling.

Massachusetts' AFL-CIO President Robert Hanes testified, saying organized labor wants casinos and the jobs they would provide.

"I beg you, on behalf of the AFL-CIO and the 400,000 families that I represent, do the right thing, and hurry up and do it," Hanes said.

But Rep. Matt Patrick, D-Falmouth, says the state should not be trading jobs for vices.

"We justify this with jobs, but we're trading those jobs for something. We're destroying families," Patrick said.

Aides to Gov. Deval Patrick said he generally supports the Senate proposal for three resort-style casinos.

If the plan wins Senate approval, it would have to be reconciled with the House plan that calls for two casinos and slot machines at race tracks.