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Massachusetts governor clarifies statements12 June 2008MIDDLEBOROUGH, Pennsylvania -- As reported by the Boston Globe: "Reports that Governor Deval Patrick was poised to begin negotiating a contract, or compact, with the Mashpee Wampanoag for a casino in Middleborough caused some ripples of concern across Southeastern Massachusetts this week. "According to the Statehouse News Service, Patrick on Monday had said that, although he expects no additional casino legislation to be forthcoming this session, 'some form of expanded gaming is coming because the tribe has some tribal rights to that, and we want to be ahead of that, and we'd like that to be within the framework we define rather than having it defined for us.' "Some news organizations reported that the governor was ready to begin negotiating a compact. But on Tuesday, Patrick told reporters his intentions were overstated in the media the previous day. He said he is not negotiating a compact now, and he has no plans, at the moment, to negotiate a casino compact. "The governor's spokeswoman, Kofi Jones, issued a statement Tuesday saying the governor continues to meet with the Wampanoag tribe as members move forward with their application to place 550 acres in Middleborough in federal trust. A massive environmental impact study that is part of the application process is already underway..." |