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Casino Bill Priority As State House Deadlines Near

Expect a busy few days on Beacon Hill this week, as lawmakers try to finish up work on several pieces of legislation before heading off for their end-of-year recess.

Among the priorities: finishing work on the bill that would allow three casinos and a slot parlor to operate in the Bay State.

A House-Senate conference committee is trying to come up with a compromise between the two versions of the bill.

The Senate wants a one-year "cooling off" period that would prevent legislators from going to work for casino companies for a full year. The House has no such prohibition.

Also in conference committees are bills changing human trafficking laws and pension reform.

The Legislature also has to vote on the bill redrawing the state's congressional districts.

House and Senate rules say formal sessions must end by Wednesday, meaning major legislation not passed this week would have to wait until January to be enacted.

This program aired on November 14, 2011. The audio for this program is not available.

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Steve Brown Senior Reporter/Anchor
Steve Brown is a veteran broadcast journalist who serves as WBUR's senior State House reporter.

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