Mixed Reaction from Selectmen, Lawmakers on Casino Vote

A mixed reaction from Salem Selectmen and legislators Wednesday saw some who were disappointed while others remained optimistic following a special House committee's recommendation to kill a massive casino bill.

Following a 23-22 joint committee vote in favor of an "inexpedient to legislate" motion, Senate Bill 152 will head to the full House next week.

Selectman Stephen Campbell said he was "pleasantly surprised" given the makeup of the subcommittee, which he said he understood to have a significant amount of people who questioned the wisdom of gambling.

Campbell noted that the 45-member committee only makes up 10 percent of the total House.

Selectman Mike Lyons was more disappointed with the outcome, but added that New Hampshire has the fourth largest legislative body in the world to make the final decision.

Chairman Everett McBride, Jr. said that it's not going to be easy for the state to get the legislation passed.

"I'm sorry the committee didn't vote in favor of it, I wish it would've gone the other way, " he said. "But we've got to move on from here and try to work hard to convince enough of them in the House to support a bill similar to the one they just voted out of committee."

The three board members also commented on Rockingham Park's future should a casino not come to the property.

Campbell said that he doesn't think May 22 will be the last and deciding vote on expanded gambling, and that a casino could still be brought to Rockingham Park once legislators see the programs that they won't be able to fund without any new revenue.

Lyons said that it's hard to picture anything but a casino going on the property, while McBride said that Rockingham Park is "hanging on by a thread."

Salem Rep. Gary Azarian (R), called the vote a "blow for Rockingham Park and for the state," adding that he believes the bill is now dead for this session.

"Who knows, maybe Millennium (Gaming) won't be interested in the Rock anymore," he said.

Millennium Gaming owns the option to purchase Rockingham Park if SB 152 passes in Concord and they are awarded the casino bid. Spokesman Rich Killion made it clear on Wednesday that no matter the outcome next week, Millennium Gaming will remain committed to the racetrack.

Taking an aggressive action following the committee vote was Rep. Joe Sweeney (R-Salem), who said in a message on his website that the "fight isn't over."

Later in the notice, Sweeney announced a dedicated fund within his Political Action Committee – Joe Sweeney for New Hampshire.

The fund will work to promote SB 152 between now and the expected House vote next week.

In a comment on Salem NH Patch, Rep. Robert Elliott (R-Salem) pointed out fellow Rep. Marilinda Garcia (R-Salem), saying that a report in the Eagle Tribune accurately predicted her as the key vote on the committee.

Garcia was one of four representatives from Salem on the committee and the only one to vote in favor of the inexpedient to legislate motion.

She later told Salem Patch that she has never said she was opposed to SB 152, but has always been "generally inclined against expanded gambling in the state as a revenue machine."

SB 152 calls for up to 150 table games and no more than 5,000 video lottery/slot machines at one highly regulated location in the state.