SEARCH NEWS:

 

Maryland Governor Wants Gambling Session

MARYLAND – As reported by the Baltimore Sun: "Leery of being 'jacked around' by political opponents, Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. said yesterday that he favors a special session of the General Assembly to address gambling issues but wants lawmakers to pass a slots plan outright rather than authorize a November referendum.

"Ehrlich said he was not convinced that a fresh willingness from House Speaker Michael E. Busch this week to discuss a ballot-box vote represented progress in the gambling debate. Busch may be softening his message as a slots opponent, the governor said, because of criticism that he and other delegates are receiving from voters since the General Assembly's 90-day regular session ended last month without passage of a gambling program.

"…Busch and Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller dined together this week and discussed the prospect of convening a special summer session to authorize a slots referendum on the November ballot. Miller said that he would be meeting soon with the governor to discuss the idea and that the three leaders would get together after that. Talks are in the early stages, but the prospect is generating excitement among slots proponents.

"Led by Busch, the House of Delegates has killed Ehrlich's and Miller's slots plans for two consecutive years.

"The governor said yesterday that he favors a legislative vote on installing slots at racetracks and other locations…"

< Gaming News