Several political observers point out that DiMasi has opposed two previous ideas for new revenue — closing corporate tax loopholes and allowing cities and towns to tax meals and hotel rooms.
A third “no” vote, on a plan that could bring as much as $500 million of revenue to the state each year, could get DiMasi painted as a steadfast opponent of plans that could lower property taxes.
Obververs say odds are good that DiMasi would give up his staunch opposition, in favor of negotiating how the state will control gaming. If so, Patrick will have shifted the entire casino debate in Massachusetts from “whether” to “how.”
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Cheap jokes R us, No side bets, Ménage-à-trashed?, More 
- Cheap jokes R us
Phillipe and Jorge's esteemed columnist friends from the Urinal, Bob Kerr and Edward Fitzpatrick, both picked up last week on the new bright orange "P" that is now meant to be the symbol of Providence to the outside world
- No side bets
Opponents of legalized gaming in Massachusetts are celebrating the death this past week of Governor Deval Patrick’s bill to license casinos, which was crushed by a seemingly decisive margin of more than two-to-one.
- Ménage-à-trashed?
In the hothouse of this past month’s same-sex-marriage battle, the State House’s top three leaders emerged as surprisingly cozy bedfellows.
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It’s remarkable how dramatically the state’s political leadership has changed since the most recent Constitutional Convention.
- Murphy’s big tent
In the past few years, Murphy has recast himself to reflect the changing city.
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The conventional wisdom is already fixed: if Christy Mihos — the convenience-store magnate and Big-Dig whistle blower who has pledged to run for governor — campaigns as an independent, he’ll be doing the Massachusetts Democratic Party a huge favor.
- Review: Chrono Trigger DS
The cartoonish æsthetic still looks better than what we get from games that came out a couple of years ago.
- Enter the wonk
Chris Gabrieli’s decision to jump into the race for governor — which he’ll do this week, if all goes according to plan — has an almost Shakespearean quality.
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Jim Ogonowski, a 28-year military veteran and small-farm owner in Dracut, brings plenty of life story, personal accomplishments, and policy positions to his campaign for US Congress.
- Your ombuddy
Part internal-affairs cop, part complaint department, American news ombudsmen are truly a unique breed.
- Money talks
To hear our state legislators talk lately, Beacon Hill is all about reforming the sketchy, poorly governed relationships between lawmakers and lobbyists.
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Topics:
Talking Politics
, Doug Rubin, Deval Patrick, Dan O'Connell, More
, Doug Rubin, Deval Patrick, Dan O'Connell, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Native American Issues, casino, gaming, Deval Patrick, Michael Dukakis, Less
