In an unexpected move, the Senate did not kill a bill to expand gambling.
Some senators who have often opposed the concept are taking a second look.
New Hampshire Public Radio’s Dan Gorenstein has more.
Expanded gambling always seems to have a place at the Legislative table.
That’s because proponents like Senator Lou D’Allesandro say things like this.
2:23 these bills will bring money to our state. They will bring jobs to our state. They will bring economic recovery to our state. We would have one billion dollars worth of construction. One billions dollars....how many jobs does one billion jobs worth of construction create?
And right now, the prospect of new dollars from a source that isn’t a sales or income tax sounds pretty good to some senate Democrats.
Lawmakers recognize the state is facing a budget shortfall, infrastructure improvements are needed, a new, more expensive education formula is making its way through the Legislature and then there’s retirement system reform.
Democrat Maggie Hassan says all those reasons and more convince her maybe it’s time to reconsider her position on gambling.
TAPE: I haven’t looked at gambling as a serious option for us in the past. But I am also acutely aware of our current revenue situation. And I am acutely aware that while gambling does cause social problems, not funding essential services creates its own problems that are just as real.
For now, the Senate has tabled the bill that would add video slot machines at the state’s four race tracks, and at one of Coos County’s Grand Hotels.
A two-thirds vote is needed to bring the measure back up for debate.
There is strong opposition to the legislation.
Everyone from the Attorney General to clergy members has testified against it.
Some opponents warn that it would mean more crime, more addiction and more domestic violence.
Democratic Senator Martha Fuller Clark told members what happened to a community in Mississippi after it brought in more gaming.
TAPE: and within four to five years, almost every major entertainment business was closed. They were lured to the casinos by free meals, cheap overnight stays, and it completely devastated the economy of that community.
Democratic Senator Peter Burling is no huge gambling fan.
But he admits he’s tired of slamming his head into what feels like a very hard wall.
He says he’s voted to install an income tax four times, he’s sponsored a sales tax, and none of the measures have gone anywhere.
But before he throws himself into this new money making plan, he says he wants a few answers.
TAPE: how would this work? What’s the market? What are the mistakes that are states have made? What can we do to understand this fully before we make a decision?
Senator D’Allesandro, a prime sponsor, says he plans to meet with Burling and other senators over the next few weeks to address their questions and concerns.
It’s not clear if D’Allesandro has enough support to revive the legislation this year.
But the fact that just a few weeks ago, Senators were confident the bill had no chance, suggests there’s been some, however slight, shift in attitudes.
One lobbyist who represents groups opposed to expanded gambling doubts the measure will pass this year.
But she says she fully expects some kind of expanded gambling bill to be back at the table next year, when lawmakers need to pass a new budget.
For NHPR News, I’m DG.
