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Maryland Anti-Casino Senators Change Sides

MARYLAND – As reported by the Washington Post: "Ulysses Currie, a state senator from Prince George's County, was once a crusader against the expansion of legalized gambling.

"…Today, Currie (D) is leading the charge in the other direction. As chairman of the Senate's budget committee, he is pushing a plan that would make Maryland a major gambling hub in the East, with 15,500 slot machines at six locations.

"…When it comes to reversing his stance, Currie has plenty of company. Eight other senators who had signed pledges to oppose expanded gambling in Maryland voted for a slot machine bill last year. Five of them have said they probably will do so again this year, while three appear to be undecided.

"..All the switching back and forth reflects the enormous pressure many lawmakers say they are under in the gambling debate, which is dominating politics during the annual 90-day legislative session in Annapolis.

"…Several senators who are backing off anti-gambling pledges, most of which were signed in 1998, said they could not recall making the promises. In any case, they said, times have changed, and they now see expanded gambling as necessary to plug a gaping, long-term hole in state finances.

"…Gambling foes said they were appalled by what they characterized as the broken promises of many lawmakers who signed the pledge during the 1998 and 2002 election campaigns…"

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