They are two mayors on opposite sides of the high-stakes casino gambling debate.
Just like the Beacon Hill leaders trying to break a stalemate on casinos, Beverly Mayor Bill Scanlon and Salem Mayor Kim Driscoll would both like to see expanded gambling in the Bay State.
They just disagree over the best plan.
Scanlon backs House Speaker Robert DeLeo's proposal to allow slot machines at the state's racetracks. Driscoll favors a plan backed by Gov. Deval Patrick for resort-style casinos.
Both have the same motivation — to maximize the revenue projected to flow into their cash-strapped communities as a result of expanded gaming.
And both have publicly lobbied for their differing views. Scanlon, who is also president of the Massachusetts Municipal Association, was one of a dozen mayors who signed a letter last week to DeLeo supporting the House proposal.
Driscoll, meanwhile, has testified at the Statehouse and pushed the resort-casino card on Boston radio talk shows.
In Scanlon's view, slots will deliver a fast infusion of revenue to cities and towns, many of which are facing worsening financial problems.
"Slots could be installed very quickly so that money could be realized when we get to next year's budget," he said.
Gambling opponents challenge that assertion, arguing that revenue from slots could be delayed because of the permitting process and potential lawsuits.
Nevertheless, DeLeo's is the only proposal that guarantees the restoration of some local aid, Scanlon said. About $100 million would go back to cities and towns, amounting to about $500,000 for Beverly, he said.
Money like that is sorely needed, especially considering the city will lose about $1 million in stimulus money that is expected to dry up next fiscal year, he said.
"Communities are going to start out from a worse position," Scanlon said. "It just means building next year's budget is going to be a very difficult thing to do."
The Senate's plan, which calls for three casinos but no racetrack slots, comes with another boost to cities and towns — jobs, according to Driscoll.
"I just don't think (the House plan) offers the number of high-paying jobs and the amount of revenue — both long-term and short-term," Driscoll said. "... I think there's more bang for the buck in resort-style casinos."
Some of those jobs could go to Salem residents if a casino were awarded to the owners of Suffolk Downs, she said
There is a market for resort-style casinos, the mayor said. Plenty of Massachusetts residents already trek down to Connecticut — cash in hand — to patronize the sprawling shops, hotels and game floors at Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods, she noted.
In Salem, she said, there are also possibilities of a tourism partnership between the city and a nearby casino.
"There's an opportunity to collaborate on conventions and excursions, working with people going to one place and get them over to Salem," Driscoll said.
Both mayors said they can live with either gambling plan under consideration at the Statehouse, provided it brings much-needed revenue to their communities.
Yesterday, there were no signs of any breakthrough between House and Senate leaders. Driscoll, however, remained optimistic.
"I suspect there will be some sort of compromise," she said.
Staff writer Chris Cassidy can be reached at ccassidy@salem news.com.
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