DeLeo's position on gambling

[0:30] ..." a very difficult economy. The economic numbers I believe tell the story. Federal Reserve Chairman. Ben Bernanke. Is warning that while -- six suspects. That the recession. Is likely over. High unemployment. Will cause a slow"...

[1:54] ..." helpful in the long Ryan. What is likely to slow recovery. The Federal Reserve. Is expected to report. That -- At the nation's factories mines and utilities. Rose point 6% in August according to rotors. This"...

[8:22] ..." facility. -- to bring together. Different disciplines. To keep Massachusetts. On the cutting edge of this area. The law range to enhance the partnership. Between universities. Research hospitals. And businesses. Enabling these important sectors. Of our economy to grow. We have -- other important economic stimulus legislation. And sparked our State's creative economy. What the State's film tax credit. Given the current economic climate. I don't expect to see any new spending measures soon. -- the -- see much appetite. For"...

[12:02] ..." goals. I'm committed to building on our service of a system of higher education. Our state has long been fortunate to have some of the strongest colleges and universities. In the entire world. But not everyone"...

[13:02] ..." health care and housing. Even with they hit I believe in the real estate prices prices that have taken pot in the Greater Boston area. Prices still hover at the far higher levels than elsewhere in the"...

[0:00]" Could casinos still be in the State's future house speaker Robert Leo says yes he spoke Friday morning and the associated industries of Massachusetts saying casinos will be part of the state economic recovery. Talking to -- The State's largest nonprofit employers group is a wonderful opportunity I feel. To exchange ideas. On what is one of my biggest priorities right now. Growing and keeping jobs in Massachusetts. In the midst of a very difficult economy. The economic numbers I believe tell the story. Federal Reserve Chairman. Ben Bernanke. Is warning that while -- six suspects. That the recession. Is likely over. High unemployment. Will cause a slow recovery. And the feeling of the week -- economy. For quite some time. Bernanke also noted that although the economy is probably growing now the growth is not fast enough. To reserve. To reverse I should say the unemployment trend. Treasury Secretary. Timothy Geithner said that he sustained. Economic rebound. Depends on strengthening our job market. He also said that we define recovery. As people back to work. People able to get a job again. Businesses investing again. In we're not at that point. Unemployment. In anxiety about job security. Continues to negatively affect Consumer Spending. Which makes up 70%. Of the US. Economy. Some analysts. Have noted that Americans are saving more. Which could be helpful in the long Ryan. What is likely to slow recovery. The Federal Reserve. Is expected to report. That -- At the nation's factories mines and utilities. Rose point 6% in August according to rotors. This follows. A similar increase in July. After nine months of decreases. In appears to come across the industry's. Assigned a broad recovery. And while unemployment continues to be a major concern. The unemployment rate is now at its highest point since the 1983. Recession. Massachusetts. -- the Massachusetts rate I should say continues to beat the national rate by more than half a percentage point. But amid the doom and gloom. It's important to make a few important points. First our situation here in the commonwealth. Is far from unique. Local. State. And national governments. Not only around the country but around the world are hurting. Some states. Such as new York and California for instance are very much worse shape that we are here in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. In California serious cuts were made to grades K through twelve. Education in the state has had to issue. 210000. IOUs. Worth approximately one billion dollars to pay vendors. In state contractors. We all heard about the troubles of the that New York has experienced. In producing a budget. That provided much less money. For schools. And cut funding for hospitals and nursing homes. Meanwhile. Pennsylvania still does not have a budget for the new fiscal year. While the -- Connecticut legislature. Just passed the budget a couple of weeks ago. Second. Unlike many other states. In Massachusetts we have put a premium. On working together to get things done. Governor Patrick signed the budget in time for the start of the fiscal year. And third there's a character of the state itself. A fundamental reasons. That companies and individuals. Want to work and do business in Massachusetts. Since its founding. Massachusetts has been the center of innovation. In reinvention. In that sense I find it very fitting that I speak to you today in a hotel. Overlooking route 128. In the midst of the Great Depression. As businesses and employers. Around Massachusetts close its stores. If someone had said. It debt in less than a generation. A whole new prosperous economic region. Which bring up on a road circling Boston. Built on state of the got technology. They would have received looks of disbelief to say the least. Yet it did happen. In less than two decades hold technology sector of the Massachusetts economy a rose which led our state into a new -- It also. Since its inception Massachusetts. Has seen its share of bull in bust cycles. Through them all we have persevered. And through the mall we have prospered. Today. We no longer see the economy as being based on just one sector. The strength of the Massachusetts economy. Is not diversity. Combining traditional industries. With the new areas of growth. Unlike other states. Which are captive to a single industry. I stayed is blessed to have vibrant sectors in health care education. Biotech. Travel. And tourism and manufacturing. It's important to note. That manufacturing. Is not if footnote to the State's history. As some would have us believe. I looked out in this audience in which manufacturers. Are such an important presence. And see that representatives of normally big corporations such as. General Electric but smaller entities such as the mason box company. Before I became speaker. While serving as the chairman of ways and means. I look for ways to bolster those areas. Now what people like the head of the White House national. Economic council Larry Summers saying that some of the jobs. Lost in the recession. May never come back. It's more important to build on these growth engines. Just this week. The New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman identified a nationwide problem. We're our company's discover things here in manufactured them abroad. Friedman devised a new model for clean energy company based in California. -- factories in Germany. China Spain in India. Invented here sold there. My goal with economic development Massachusetts. Is that we capture. In we capitalize upon the innovations. That have always Spock us here in Massachusetts. I want -- new businesses to have a new model. Invented here in manufactured here. To that end. In recent and in recent years. We have passed wrote measures and clean energy life sciences. And the film industry. In the 2008. The green communities act which attempts. To highlight the growth of renewable energy sector went into effect. In 2008. The house passed the clean energy biofuels that. This law helps set the stage prostate. To capitalize. On clean alternatives. To fossil fuels. We also passed the life sciences legislation. Last night out with stir the state broke ground on the historic. Albert Schuermann center. A research facility. -- to bring together. Different disciplines. To keep Massachusetts. On the cutting edge of this area. The law range to enhance the partnership. Between universities. Research hospitals. And businesses. Enabling these important sectors. Of our economy to grow. We have -- other important economic stimulus legislation. And sparked our State's creative economy. What the State's film tax credit. Given the current economic climate. I don't expect to see any new spending measures soon. -- the -- see much appetite. For industry wide tax credits. But I am very interested. In all those measures. Which will have no effect on the budget. That is one reason why I'm interested. In gaming and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. As has been reported by now. I have been much a supporter of slots at racetracks given the importance of the racing industry in my own district. Gaming could means jobs in my district. But I also look at gaming. As an additional industry. That could help but support our statewide economy. And build on the travel and tourism sector. It's important to make the point that they do not -- gave me as a panacea. To all of our economic and fiscal problems in the state. I do view it as one more tool they can help us they prosper. I am confident. That we will site gaming facilities in a way that reflects the geographic diversity by state. To maximize. Our investment we will explore the guy dear I -- being abusing gaming proceeds. To invest in other industries. Given the importance of economic development. As well as the vital need for revenue I have expanded my thinking. In addition to backing -- my idea Russell poll -- slots I now support the idea -- Of resort casinos here in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. We are currently studying the proposals. That are out there in anticipation. A developing a plan of our own. I will -- All of the economic factors in studies about what the introduction of gaming needs during this very difficult fiscal time. I will look to the hearing that will state placing of gaming in October. This will provide additional information. To assist me. In my decision making. Another area that I'm looking as the speaker of the house is comprehensive. Regulatory reform. Too often I believe that the laws the intent of the laws passed by the legislature. Gets lost amid a sea of regulation. Last year. Governor Patrick signed a law are reforming our corporate tax code. The object of this legislation. Was to promote fairness in the -- scope. We have heard that as implemented. This new provision particularly. The definition of water's edge has raised some concerns for you and for others. We will seek to work with each of you and partnership. To make sure that the changes that were made get done for the common good. My hope is that it would be easier to balance the tax code to reflect the best of our economic development goals. I'm committed to building on our service of a system of higher education. Our state has long been fortunate to have some of the strongest colleges and universities. In the entire world. But not everyone is going to receive a degree from Harvard or MIT. My goal is to assist our Community Colleges as they seek improvement. One idea -- believe well worth pursuing. Is to partner with specific Community Colleges with which certain industry areas. They could assist employees and help bring the Community Colleges. To the next stage of growth and development. As we seek to build and straighten those areas which will be the foundation. Of our future economy. We try to minimize. Those obstacles to retaining and broke in in bringing businesses here -- to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. These include these include health care and housing. Even with they hit I believe in the real estate prices prices that have taken pot in the Greater Boston area. Prices still hover at the far higher levels than elsewhere in the country. I am it to rest that in exploring the possibilities. Of transportation systems. Which can open the housing stock of west Springfield. Southeastern Massachusetts. In other reasons in other regions to those who currently live -- worker from 128. While Massachusetts is still leading the nation and health care coverage. It's serving as the model for reform at the national level. We are still seeing double digit insurance premium increases. It is widely accepted. That these raise rates of increase are not sustainable. By the business community. The Boston Globe. Recently spotlighted these increases. In forecasted. That small businesses. And individuals. Are expected to be hit. With the hottest this year every gods to rate increases. Although it's important to point out. Medical according to a recent Kaiser Family Foundation survey. These increases reflect national trends the pot from our health care program in Massachusetts. Having said that. I'm sure that many of you are aware that they held payment reform commission. Recently released its report to the legislature. We are now taking the fault -- take a closer look if you will. At their proposals. If it -- some of the biggest in more difficult questions. That they were not able to answer. Reforming the payment system is and -- indelibly going to be an extremely contentious. Issue. For me. The -- goals -- to get these costs under control. So that we don't continue. To feel the strain on our State's budget. To alleviate the coverage costs that are hitting individuals. And small businesses. So that we can remain a healthy. A competitive workforce. And to balance these goals with the needs of providers. And respect the obstacles that our current health care infrastructure. Is facing. As we move through this process we are going to need. The business community. To remain in active voice. Just as you word during the 2006. Health care reform debate I'm looking forward to -- counting on you. For your input and guidance as we move forward. As I want to as as I do conclude. I want to reiterate. My commitment to economic growth and development. Here in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Even as we fight to. To put the past thus the worst. Recession that that we've seen in many a year I believe that the future of our state. Promises to be filed brighter than our present in I want to work with you. As we navigate these difficult waters ahead thank you very much."