The Downside of Having People Hang on Your Every Word
Del. Luiz R.S. Simmons (D-Montgomery) is using Gov. Martin O'Malley's words against him in the slots debate.
(By Matthew S. Gunby -- Associated Press)
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It is unclear whether Del. Luiz R.S. Simmons (D-Montgomery) will be successful in stopping slots from coming to Maryland. But his efforts are not likely to win him many dinner invitations to the governor's mansion.
When testifying last week against Gov. Martin O'Malley's slots proposal, Simmons reminded his colleagues of comments made by O'Malley (D) during his days as Baltimore's mayor.
Among them: "Slot machines are a gambling gimmick that disproportionately targets the poor." And slots, O'Malley once said, are "a morally bankrupt way to fund education."
O'Malley's position on the issue has evolved in recent years. As a candidate for governor last year, he advocated allowing a "limited number" of slots at racetracks as a means to save the horse-racing industry.
In what he has characterized as a bid to put the fractious issue behind lawmakers, O'Malley is pushing a referendum that would legalize 15,000 machines at five locations. Only two existing tracks would be eligible for licenses.
The proposal is a significant part of O'Malley's long-term plan to deal with projected budget shortfalls of at least $1.5 billion.
"We can solve the deficit without throwing our moral compass into it," Simmons said at last week's hearing.
-- John Wagner
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