"The Prince George's [House] delegation has made it clear they are dead set against any venue in Prince George's," Ehrlich said. "It's unfortunate, but it's a fact."
Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr. (D-Calvert) sounded a note of caution even as he celebrated yesterday's action as progress. "We're not past first base on this bill," he said. "It remains to be seen whether everyone, including the speaker, the governor and myself, are going to approach this with an open mind. There are so many pitfalls." Among the key differences between the House and Senate bills are the manner in which venues are chosen and the way proceeds are split.
The House bill allows four slots parlors, in Anne Arundel, Harford, Frederick and Allegany counties. The Senate bill allows seven sites and leaves it to a commission to select venues.
Political leaders in Frederick County, which has not appeared in any incarnation of the bill, were cool, if not hostile, to the idea. "I'm not in favor of slots, whether they be in this town or any other town," said County Commissioner Michael L. Cady (R).
Montgomery County Executive Douglas M. Duncan (D) took his campaign against slots to Baltimore, where he criticized Mayor Martin O'Malley for agreeing to expanded gambling despite calling it "morally bankrupt."
"He's trying to be on every side of this issue instead of show some leadership," Duncan said.
An O'Malley spokesman said the mayor's position has been consistent. "He believes reasonable people can get together and save jobs and fund school construction," said spokesman Stephen Kearney. Duncan and O'Malley are each considering a bid for governor in 2006.
Staff writer Fredrick Kunkle contributed to this report.
