April 11, 2008
Baldacci to veto slot machines
Governor John Baldacci will veto a bill the Legislature passed yesterday that would allow the Penobscot Indian Tribe to run slot machines on Indian Island in Old Town.
The bill, LD 701, authorizes the Penobscots to operate 100 slot machines on the weekends they are also licensed to hold high-stakes bingo games. The Penobscot Nation claims it needs the slot machine revenue to make up for the bingo revenue it has lost since Hollywood Slots opened in Bangor more than a year ago. The Senate and House yesterday voted 23-12 and 98-34, respectively, for final approval.
"We will veto it," David Farmer, Baldacci's press secretary, told Mainebiz. "[Baldacci] doesn't support the expansion of gambling and that is consistent and steady."
After the veto, the bill will return to the Legislature, where both bodies will need to muster a two-thirds majority to override the veto.
The bill, LD 701, authorizes the Penobscots to operate 100 slot machines on the weekends they are also licensed to hold high-stakes bingo games. The Penobscot Nation claims it needs the slot machine revenue to make up for the bingo revenue it has lost since Hollywood Slots opened in Bangor more than a year ago. The Senate and House yesterday voted 23-12 and 98-34, respectively, for final approval.
"We will veto it," David Farmer, Baldacci's press secretary, told Mainebiz. "[Baldacci] doesn't support the expansion of gambling and that is consistent and steady."
After the veto, the bill will return to the Legislature, where both bodies will need to muster a two-thirds majority to override the veto.
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