Morse to Give Salem Casino Update Ahead of Senate Panel Vote

State Sen. Chuck Morse, (R-Salem) will address the Salem Board of Selectmen Monday ahead of a Senate Ways and Means Committee recommendation vote on Senate Bill 152, otherwise known as the expanded gambling bill.

Morse will meet with the board at 7 p.m. in the Knightly Meeting Room at Salem Town Hall. 

SB152 is expected to go through the committee with recommendation on Tuesday morning. Morse sits on the panel with primary bill sponsor Sen. Lou D'Allesandro (D-Manchester) and co-sponsor Sen. Jim Rausch (R-Derry).

A March 2 column in the Union Leader predicted a 4-1 committee vote in favor of the bill with Chairman Sen. Bob Odell (R-Lempster) as the lone dissenter.

The committee met on Feb. 19 to hear testimony from various stakeholders in the casino debate, including potential bidders, legislators for and against SB152, lobbyists, police chiefs and political activists. Starting the hearing was Gov. Maggie Hassan, who reinforced her position in favor of SB152 following an inclusion of $80 million in casino revenue included in her state budget address.

Salem folks also made the trip to Concord, including Town Manager Keith Hickey, who testified on behalf of the Salem Board of Selectmen.

The Salem board unanimously supports expanded gambling in New Hampshire given the impact a casino would have on Salem should Rockingham Park be awarded the lone casino bid.

A non-binding casino referendum will be voted on in Salem during the March 12 town election next week.