"Both the House and Senate have given initial approval to a citizen’s initiative from the Passamaquoddy Tribe that would authorize slot machines at a tribal commercial racetrack in Washington County, a region that has long lagged behind the state economically.

Gov. Baldacci has promised to veto the bill when it reaches his desk because he does not approve of casinos as a means of economic development and because of the social ills he believes gambling brings.

The Bangor region has served as a pilot project for the question of gambling in Maine and its results show that residents, given a choice among slot machines, high-stakes bingo or the state lottery, prefer slots. Instead of trying to hold off what is already in Maine and is growing nationwide, Gov. Baldacci would do better to use this opportunity to work with the Passamaquoddy Tribe on this issue and to begin preparing for what will become an increasing number of requests for casino sites.

This is a time for statesmanship from Gov. Baldacci, when his personal feelings, however truly held, should yield to the reality that slot machines already are in Maine, are popular and are sought for a commendable reason — to improve the lives in a region long hurt economically."

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Down East casino (The Bangor Daily News 4/13)