New In The Phoenix -- Casino Winners And Losers

In this week's issue of the Boston Phoenix -- online and in print now -- I write about the end of the Massachusetts legislative session last week, which of course was dominated by the ultimately failed attempt (at least, as of this writing) to pass an expanded gaming bill.

I suggest that those with the most experience at working in these kinds of high-stakes Beacon Hill showdowns were the ones who fared best: senate president Therese Murray most notably, but to some degree Governor Deval Patrick and Treasurer/gubernatorial candidate Tim Cahill as well. Those with less experience -- first-term speaker Robert DeLeo and guv candidate Charlie Baker -- did worse for themselves.

I realize that if you have any interest in the Beacon Hill wars, you've probably already read an awful lot of analysis by now, but I'd like to think that I've added some fresh and worthwhile observations. So please check it out and see for yourself!

The article is here: Rookies Go Bust.

The new issue also has a Phoenix editorial on the casino bill fiasco, and a report from the Gulf Coast by my Providence colleague David Scharfenberg, among other items. Enjoy!