Political payoffs are, as always, the rage among union officials. They throw their money and weight to a politician (especially a governor) and it’s presto policy! The latest example: Boston union officials “launched an all-out push for legalized casinos in Massachusetts in hopes of creating tens of thousands of new union jobs for their members.” Oh, and there’s this tidbit from the Boston Herald:

Labor leaders are also working overtime to further cultivate an already promising relationship with Patrick, who benefited from strong union support in last fall’selection.

A fund-raiser put on by the AFL-CIO at the Newton Marriott recently netted thousands for Patrick and Lt. Gov. TimMurray, already a gambling supporter.