Business leaders from Western Massachusetts huddled with top political leaders on Beacon Hill during an annual event.
Joseph F. WagnerBOSTON – A top legislator told business leaders from Western Massachusetts on Wednesday that his committee will be prepared to release a casino bill by early summer.
Rep. Joseph F. Wagner, a Chicopee Democrat and co-chairman of the Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies, said that House Speaker Robert DeLeo, the Senate President and the governor would first need to agree on a framework for expanded gambling before the committee votes on a bill.
"I do think it's important ... that there be a framework for an agreement on the front end," Wagner said. "If there is not an agreement on a framework by early summer, then you won't see a bill from committee by early summer. But I think it's reasonable to think that we could move it along that timeline if all of the other necessary things fell into place."
Wagner's committee is scheduled to hold a public hearing at 10 a.m. on Wednesday at the Statehouse on 13 gambling bills. The committee would need to vote on a gambling bill and send it to the full state House of Representatives and the Senate for votes.
Wagner was among leaders at the Statehouse who spoke during an annual "Beacon Hill summit" with business leaders from Western Massachusetts.
Sen. Gale D. Candaras, D-Wilbraham, was host of the day-long event, which was presented by the Affiliated Chambers of Commerce of Greater Springfield, the Greater Holyoke Chamber of Commerce and the Chicopee Chamber of Commerce. About 60 members of the chambers attended the event.
Next week's gambling hearing kicks off a new debate on casinos on Beacon Hill. The hearing comes as the Mohegan Sun of Connecticut is pledging to move ahead with plans for a casino resort in Palmer, and a separate group is proposing a casino for Holyoke. Legislators approved a casino bill last year, but it was rejected by Gov. Deval L. Patrick amid a hail of finger-pointing and accusations.
Jeffrey Ciuffreda, president of the Affiliated Chambers of Commerce of Greater SpringfieldJeffrey S. Ciuffreda, president of the Affiliated Chambers of Commerce of Greater Springfield, said he is concerned about how a casino bill would be structured including how revenues would be shared. Ciuffreda said he is also concerned about the possible effects of casinos on attractions such as the MassMutual Center in Springfield.
Casinos were only one issue discussed during the summit.
Senate President Therese Murray provided a grim summary of the state's $30.5 billion budget for the fiscal year that starts July 1.
Murray cited a $1.8 billion gap in the budget caused by the loss of federal stimulus funds. Legislators used about $1.5 billion in federal money to balance this year's budget, but that money now is gone, leaving a hole, Murray said.
When William J. Miller, executive director of the Friends of the Homeless in Springfield, told Murray that his organization is being shortchanged in state funding, she told him that he hasn't seen anything yet.
The Senate is scheduled to debate its version of the budget during the week starting May 23.
The yearly summit gave business people from Western Massachusetts a chance to question government leaders on a host of issues such as congressional redistricting, health care and rates for unemployment insurance and workers compensation insurance.
Sen. Stephen M. Brewer, D-Barre, the chairman of the Senate Ways and Means Committee, told the group that he is pressing the University of Massachusetts to expand its presence in downtown Springfield. Brewer said that he is keeping the heat on the university president when he meets with him.
The university 's current programs include the Pioneer Valley Life Sciences Institute on Main Street, a joint venture with Baystate Medical Center and research center for diseases such as cancer and diabetes, and a design center at Court Square.
Business leaders also heard from several other people including Sen. Stanley C. Rosenberg, D-Amherst, co-chairman of the Committee on Redistricting, and Michael J. Widmer, president of the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation.