Senate advances bill to allow E. Maine casino

Francis X. Quinn

Friday, June 3, 2005 | 9:40 a.m.

AUGUSTA, Maine -- The Maine Senate, voting without a word of debate, gave all-but-final approval Thursday to a bill supported by the Passamaquoddy Indian Tribe that would allow slot machines at a harness racing facility that would be developed in eastern Maine.

The initial Senate vote was 19-15, offering a level of support that would be insufficient to overcome a gubernatorial veto.

Gov. John Baldacci does not support the measure and had said he would be leaning toward a veto if the bill reached his desk. Following the Senate vote Thursday, Baldacci said he would issue a veto if it came to that.

The House of Representatives had voted in favor of the Indian-run facility on Tuesday, 94-53, and reaffirmed its stance Thursday, 87-46.

During the lengthy House debate earlier this week, supporters said a racino could help Washington County recover from chronic economic distress. Others noted that a legislative vote for a casino was in keeping with a separate referendum vote in 2003 to allow a harness-track casino, or racino.

Penn National Gaming Inc. is now completing the application process for a racino in Bangor.

The final House vote came without discussion.

Voting in both chambers has ignored party lines and lobbying on the measure has been heavy, with pro- and anti-racino forces visiting lawmakers.

The Legal and Veterans Affairs Committee endorsed the proposal, 10-3.

Sponsored by Passamaquoddy Tribal Rep. Fredrick Moore, the bill would allow the tribes in Washington County to open a harness racing track with up to 1,500 slot machines.

Among the opponents was House Majority Glenn Cummings, D-Portland, who said in a statement Thursday that "adding gambling to an economically depressed area does real damage to the community. People on limited incomes are often the most vulnerable victims, hoping that gambling offers them a chance to win the money they need."

Rep. Anne Perry, D-Calais, meanwhile, said in the same statement from House Democrats that "this project could be the beginning of a stronger and brighter future for Washington County. This bill is about bringing agri-business back to rural Maine. You can focus on gambling, but slots were approved to save Maine harness racing."