AUGUSTA (AP) – The Maine House of Representatives on Friday sustained Gov. John Baldacci’s veto of a bill supported by the Passamaquoddy Indian Tribe that would allow slot machines at a harness racing facility in eastern Maine.

The vote to counter the governor’s action was 73-70, well short of the required super majority. There was no debate.

“Everybody knows what they’re going to do, I guess,” said Rep. Roger Sherman, R-Hodgdon, as the tally was under way.

In the wake of the veto, racino proponents began pushing for legislative endorsement of a statewide referendum vote on the proposal. On Thursday, suggesting that he would not seek to derail that approach, Baldacci emphasized that his opposition to expanded gaming in Maine is personal and said any change in current law should be up to the people.

State voters approved a proposal for racinos to be developed at existing harness-racing tracks in 2003 and Penn National Gaming Inc. is planning to operate one in Bangor.

The Passamaquoddy-backed bill would have allowed a harness racing track with up to 1,500 slot machines in Washington County.

Baldacci says he is committed to bolstering economic growth in eastern Maine. On Thursday he announced that former utility executive David Flanagan would serve as his representative working to promote development in Washington County.

Much of the voting on the racino legislation highlighted geographic influences, blurring party lines.

The votes to enact the Indian gaming measure last week were 19-15 in the Senate and 87-46 in the House.

The final Senate tally had 9 Democrats and 10 Republicans voting yes, with 10 Democrats and 5 Republicans voting no.

In the House, according to a compilation by the clerk’s office, voting yes were 48 Democrats, 38 Republicans and the chamber’s lone Green party member, John Eder of Portland. Opposing the measure in the House were 19 Democrats, 26 Republicans and independent Rep. Richard Woodbury of Yarmouth.