The Hiller Instinct: Casinos Going Nowhere

"Should the governor do anything less than to allow this bill to become law, this is too bad - it's going to be the people of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts who are going to suffer for that decision," House Speaker Robert DeLeo said.

But it's the speaker's decision that's blocking casinos, because he insists slot machines at racetracks must be part of any deal.

DeLeo has strong reasons for supporting the tracks--two are in his district and his father worked at one. But DeLeo is speaker of the entire House and he should speak for more than just his district.

"We are making decisions today that we as a Commonwealth are going to have to live with for decades," the governor said.

The governor is a loser, too, because he's not getting the resort casinos he wants, or very much respect from the legislature, and both will make him look weak to voters.

"We passed the casino bill," Senate President Therese Murray said. She was against slots before she was for them, and by compromising--or caving--she helped create the current stalemate.

Now the senate president says she doesn't have the votes to bring the Senate back from recess to try end the stalemate.

That makes her a loser, not a leader.

"I know there's been very strong and opposing philosophies and opinions in this chamber. But throughout it all- we have retained an atmosphere of respect, and consideration," Murray said.

That's great, but unless someone blinks, Massachusetts will lose jobs and revenue, and voters will lose even more confidence in a dysfunctional State House.

And when elected officials wonder "how could this happen?" All they have to do is look at one another.

I’m Andy Hiller, and that’s my instinct.

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