Public employees? union endorses slots referendum

The union representing more than 60,000 state and local employees came out strongly for the constitutional amendment authorizing slot machine gambling on the November ballot, saying jobs and services will have to be cut if the referendum fails.

“We already have a $200 million deficit,” said Patrick Moran, state director of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees. “Public employees have borne the brunt” of earlier budget cuts. If slots gambling doesn?t pass, “state budget makers will certainly cut services.”