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Maryland slot proponents continue campaign

MARYLAND – As reported by the Baltimore Sun: "Slot machine gambling proponents are set to make their most urgent plea yet for Maryland to approve expanded gaming Tuesday, saying it's needed to stave off fiscal ruin for the state and to protect the horse industry.

"But despite a looming $1.3 billion budget shortfall next year and renewed threats to cut racing days, slots opponents, who have gotten the best of the debate for the last four years, are greeting Tuesday's state Senate committee hearing with a yawn.

"…The slots issue has been the focus of intense debates in Annapolis for the last four years, but this General Assembly session, the topic received little attention as backers and foes alike said they expected the issue to be wrapped up in a comprehensive budget package next year.

"Last week, Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller introduced a slots bill, but his current proposal -- pretty much the same one he has tried in the past -- isn't generating near the fervor that gambling proposals did in previous years, when they had the strong backing of then-Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr…"

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