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Maryland House Speaker Shifts Slot Position

HAGERSTOWN, Maryland – As reported by the Washington Post: "When Maryland House Speaker Michael E. Busch arrived here last week to address Washington County's Democratic central committee, a single question was weighing on the local party stalwarts: What is he doing on slots? Busch's shifting stance on gambling has baffled such rank-and-file Democrats as Frederick Nastri, 50, a prison counselor and union organizer from nearby Williamsport who came Thursday night in search of an explanation.

"For the past two years, Nastri said, it seemed that Busch (D-Anne Arundel) had donned the uniform of the state's anti-slots crowd and placed his bulky six-foot frame in the path of every fleet-footed lobbyist and racetrack owner who wanted to turn Maryland into the nation's next gambling gold mine.

"'Then all of a sudden, it's like he's willing to concede,' said Nastri, referring to Busch's recent decision to consider a statewide referendum on the subject.

"…Busch was not quick with an answer to that question Thursday night -- his 30-minute speech made no mention of the state's raging debate over slot machines. But in an interview Friday, he said that if there's confusion over his stance on slots, it's because it can't be winnowed to a pat slogan or fit neatly onto a bumper sticker.

"…Busch's nuanced position on slots -- he'll support them only if voters approve or if they are passed in tandem with tax increases -- has left even some of his staunch supporters befuddled.

"…Since Busch emerged from his steak dinner with Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr. (D-Calvert) two weeks ago and declared himself willing to put slots on the ballot, gambling supporters have wondered if this was cause for celebration or another dead end. But opponents worried that the man who had just finished helping them kill gambling proposals for the second year in a row had left them behind…"

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