Labor doubles down for casinos

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/editorials/articles/2008/01/26/labor_doubles_down_for_casinos/

January 26, 2008

POWERFUL LABOR unions are preparing a major push in support of Governor Patrick's bill to create three destination casinos in Massachusetts, even if it requires running up the backs of lethargic legislators.
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"We want to put them on notice," says Sean O'Brien, president of Teamsters Local 25. "We're not going to support any candidates that don't support our issues." A letter to that effect is on its way to state legislators. It's an especially aggressive approach, O'Brien says. But like other union leaders in the state, O'Brien says he cannot stand by and watch the Legislature squander what the Patrick administration estimates to be the potential creation of 30,000 construction jobs and 20,000 permanent jobs.

Labor is flexing its muscle for a good reason. Patrick has proposed a rational and lucrative plan to bring three destination casinos to the state. Licensing fees alone could generate $800 million, with recurring revenues for the state of about $400 million annually. His plan includes sound protections for those at risk of compulsive gambling. Yet the Legislature has sat on its hands.

Patrick told Globe editors yesterday that he is ready to spur lawmakers to action on his economic-development plans. His casino effort is already underway. Earlier this month, the governor and his top economic advisers made a major pitch for casinos to labor leaders. The building trades and hotel workers didn't need much convincing. But support from the Massachusetts Teachers Association reinforces the governor's view that casino revenues are critical to the state's wider ability to support education and aid to cities and towns. Patrick drove home that point even harder this week when he included in his budget some of the anticipated revenue from the auction of casino licenses. His message for the Legislature yesterday was: "If you have a better idea, bring it."

Lobbying efforts by labor are sure to be heard by House Speaker Salvatore DiMasi, whose skepticism about casino gambling is a major impediment to getting a bill passed this session. DiMasi prefers to concentrate on the economic development possibilities of Patrick's $1 billion life sciences initiative. But that won't placate the AFL-CIO, the state's largest labor organization representing 400,000 workers. They are fighting for the majority of adults in Massachusetts who have no college degrees and aren't likely to benefit directly from higher-end job initiatives. And casino jobs, as a rule, pay decent wages and provide healthcare and pension benefits. The AFL-CIO is expected to unveil a casino strategy soon that is sure to go beyond quiet lobbying and legislative breakfasts.

The governor needs to make the most of labor's enthusiasm. The unions are offering Patrick invaluable shock troops - at a time when he needs a victory.