After six months of political posturing and economic predictions, it appears that King Sal, Speaker of the House Sal DiMasi, will continue to reign over a Commonwealth free from casino wealth.

The Globe and the Herald report that Governor Deval Patrick's plan to bring three casinos to the Bay State would almost certainly be defeated in a House vote, if it even survives the Economic Development Committee today.

King Sal turned the casino debate into a tug-of-war between himself and the Governor, a decision that served no one but DiMasi. While casino revenue is hardly a cure-all for the fiscal crisis that is challenging states nationwide, the proposal deserved a free, extended and open hearing before legislators. A death in committee would both prove the King's power and be a fitting symbol of his anti-democratic stance towards governing.

The Herald's icon of understated punditry, Howie Carr, noted: "Even Saddam Hussein got a chance to appeal to the Supreme Court. Deval will receive no such courtesy."

Though DiMasi has already guaranteed its defeat, the proposal deserves a House vote. We need to know which reps to ask first for alternative revenue sources as our budget crisis continues.