It was desperation, more than the advertised benefits of casino gambling, that prompted many mayors to get behind Gov. Deval Patrick’s failed effort to bring legalized gaming to Massachusetts.
The cost of public-sector wages and benefits are becoming ummanageable, and those in charge of making sure the bills are paid frankly don’t know where to turn. [...]
Archive for March, 2008
Lottery’s latest: Home Keno parlors
Posted in Massachusetts politics, Nelson Benton, Uncategorized on Mar 26th, 2008 Comments
Opinions are decidedly mixed over whether Massachusetts should allow casino gambling. But a new program put forward by the Massachusetts Lottery Commission could turn every pharmacy and convenience store into a gaming outlet.
It’s called “Keno-to-go” and would greatly expand the number of locations at which one can buy Keno tickets. These outlets had been resricted [...]
Dems set to self-destruct — again?
Posted in Nelson Benton, Presidential race on Mar 24th, 2008 Comments
George W. Bush won’t go down as one of the great American presidents, and he wasn’t exactly a formidable candidate either.
So how did he win in 2000 and 2004? Well, he had a little help from the Supreme Court the first time around, but in both elections the Democrats put up candidates | Al Gore [...]
Another pol caught in St. Pat’s briar patch
Posted in Massachusetts politics, Nelson Benton, Uncategorized on Mar 18th, 2008 Comments
Those annual St. Patrick’s Day roasts can be dangerous affairs for Bay State politicians who, nevertheless, seem to relish the opportunity they provide to tell bad jokes and sing off key.
For years legislative leaders used to poke fun at the taxpayers for allowing them to play fast and loose with their money. But they’ve found [...]
Debate continues on casino bill
Posted in Massachusetts politics, Nelson Benton on Mar 11th, 2008 Comments
A vote on Gov. Deval Patrick’s proposal to license three resort casinos in Massachusetts could be taken by the House of Representatives early next month.
A hearing on the proposal has been scheduled for March 18 at which there will be a full airing of the pros and cons of allowing casinos in the Bay State. [...]
The Barack Obama camp is spinning like mad today trying to put a happy face on Tuesday’s disappointing results. Here’s the e-mail that went out to supporters this morning, courtesy of a reader in Peabody:
We may not know the final outcome of today’s voting until morning, but the results so far make one thing clear.
When [...]
With her victories in Texas, Ohio and Rhode Island last night, it appears Hillary Clinton has kept her campaign alive at least through the start of spring.
The primary in Pennsylvania, the next big state with a large number of delegates at stake, isn’t until April 22. (There are contests in Wyoming this Saturday and Mississippi [...]
We should know tonight.
There are primaries in Vermont and Rhode Island, but all eyes will be on Texas and Ohio where the vast majority of delegate spots are at stake. Polls out this morning showed New York Sen. Hillary Clinton holding onto a slight lead in both. And her words and demeanor at appearances Monday [...]
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About
Nelson Benton is editorial page editor of The Salem News. Over the past four decades he has covered all the cities and towns of the North Shore, as well as the Statehouse. His political column appears every Friday on the Opinion page. Categories
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