Miller Puts Slots Back on Agenda, Proposes Increase in Gas Tax

Maryland Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr. says he is going to "generate discussion" with his bills to legalize slots and raise the gasoline tax. (By Marvin Joseph -- The Washington Post)

Seeking to jump-start a debate about Maryland's bleak fiscal outlook, Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr. yesterday introduced bills that would legalize slot-machine gambling and effectively raise the gas tax by 12 cents a gallon.

Miller (D-Calvert) said he expects neither bill to pass during the General Assembly's current 90-day session. But he said both bills will get public hearings and spark talk about some tough issues that lawmakers must confront -- either in a special session later this year or in the regular session next year.

"What we're going to do right now is generate discussion," Miller told reporters after a morning meeting at the governor's mansion that included House Speaker Michael E. Busch (D-Anne Arundel) and other legislative leaders.

Gov. Martin O'Malley and Busch reaffirmed their desire yesterday to delay tough decisions about looming billion-dollar deficits until next year.

O'Malley (D) told reporters that he considers it "a positive thing" for lawmakers to float ideas, but he said a full debate about revenue is "a little premature." O'Malley said he hopes that his administration will be able to reduce the size of projected budget shortfalls by finding savings in coming months.

Miller's slots bill would allow as many as 15,500 machines at four racing tracks and three other locations. He said the bill would generate about $800 million a year for the state, which could be used for school construction and other educational needs.

Debate over slots dominated the agenda in Annapolis for much of the tenure of Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. (R), though lawmakers never passed a bill. O'Malley backs placing "a limited number" of machines at tracks but has not pushed the issue this year. Busch is a slots opponent.

Miller's other bill would apply a 4 percent excise tax on gasoline at the wholesale level, which would increase taxes at the pump from 23.5 cents per gallon to 35.5 cents per gallon. Miller said the bill would raise almost $400 million a year for much-needed transportation projects.

"People in Maryland have one of the longest commute times in the United States," Miller said.

-- John Wagner