Posted on 05/08/2008 11:13:07 AM PDT by JZelle
ANNAPOLIS (AP) — Gov. Martin O'Malley said yesterday that if a referendum on slot-machine gambling fails in November, "it'll be back to the drawing board with a lot of unpopular choices, and I don't think any of us wants to go there."
Mr. O'Malley said during an interview on WCBC-AM in Cumberland, Md., that the money Maryland would eventually get from slot machines would constitute about 25 percent of what's needed to balance the state's budget in coming years.
The rest of the money to handle Maryland's projected deficit comes from about $1.4 billion in tax increases approved last November during a special session and more than $1 billion in budget cuts since Mr. O'Malley took office about 16 months ago.
"I think we did a lot of heavy lifting," Mr. O'Malley said. "Our hope was to address it in a forthright and honest way right upfront, and hopefully the people will do their part and approve the slots referendum."
About half of the more than $500 million a year the state is estimated to gain from slots would go toward financing education. As he's said before, Mr. O'Malley noted that Maryland residents already travel to Delaware, West Virginia and Pennsylvania — where slots are legal.
"It's not a question of whether people are going to gamble or not," Mr. O'Malley said. "It's a question of where they go to do it, and I think people would rather see those dollars be invested in Maryland schools."
The referendum already has picked up endorsements in recent months, including from the AFL-CIO, the Maryland Chamber of Commerce, the Maryland State Teachers Association and the Maryland Association of Counties.
Opponents, however, argue that slots won't bring in as much money as projected and that expanded gambling will harm communities and the state's economy.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtontimes.com ...
Slots are just oppressed and misunderstood business women. And, yes, they trade in sex but the Governor is right, they deserve backing.
What?...huh?...oh.
Nevermind.
I haven't noticed any increased services to go with the increased taxes.
This has changed my shopping habits somewhat though. Only a mile or two more to drive to Delaware .....
Remembers playing slots in Waldorf, Maryland many years ago..
It’s the governor’s way of raising taxes on the poor, while gaining their support at the same time. Ehrlich tried to do the same, but the Dems saw the light and postponed it until they had the governor’s seat.
I’m voting for it. If people don’t want to gamble don’t.
I’m all in favor of it. A voluntary tax on stupidity.
I’m voting against it cause O’Malley wants me to vote for it. I would have voted for it if that evil Bob Ehrlich was still Governor.
Actually, hoes trade in sex. Slots do it for free.
They ought to spend all the slots money on roads. I don’t want any more money going to the public skrools.
Maryland “Freak State” PING!
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