Speaker DeLeo prepares to introduce gaming plan

State House News Service

BOSTON - As he prepares to unveil a plan to bring new forms of gambling to the Bay State, House Speaker Robert DeLeo, D-Winthrop, said Tuesday that he envisions reinvesting the proceeds to "the job market."

In a televised appearance, DeLeo said he plans to release a bill in early March which he has said will contain measures to bring slot machines to state race tracks.

"We have to elevate the conversation from a philosophical one to a discussion about jobs," DeLeo said, adding, "Expanded gaming is not going to be the panacea, it's not going to solve every financial ill of the commonwealth. But I will say this, I think it's a start and I think it's a good start."

DeLeo has two race tracks, Wonderland and Suffolk Downs, located in his House district, the Nineteenth Suffolk which covers Winthrop and parts of Revere.

DeLeo said he has heard gambling opponents "loudly and clearly" and plans to fund addiction recovery programs through funds reaped from the gambling expansion. In other State House matters:

DeLeo also defended his decision not to release details about $378,000 in taxpayer dollars spent by the House in connection with a federal investigation into former speaker Salvatore DiMasi.

DeLeo said that even though the federal government sanctioned the release of the information, House counsel recommended keeping the details private because of "attorney-client privilege" issues.

Asked about per diems lawmakers receive for their travel, DeLeo said legislators traveling a long way from Boston "should be probably compensated a little bit more."

He said such benefits "give some people some impetus to run" for office.