Maryland House Acts to Put Slots Before Voters

An agreement today on the slots bills probably would ignite a year-long battle between gambling interests and grass-roots groups opposed to expanded gambling. About seven in 10 Maryland residents favored legalizing slot-machine gambling in a Washington Post poll last month, but some similar ballot initiatives in other states have failed in recent years even when early polls looked promising.

House debate over the referendum bill Friday night was cast in sweeping terms, with proponents arguing that a public vote would put the contentious issue behind them and help the state remain on sound financial footing. Opponents countered that the vote was a first step toward welcoming slots and the accompanying social ills, including gambling addiction and increased crime, into the state.

O'Malley, seeking to build support for the bill, conferred behind closed doors with Busch yesterday afternoon and then walked briskly with Lt. Gov. Anthony G. Brown (D) to a private meeting with the House Democratic caucus.

As yet another long day of the special session dragged on, some lawmakers expressed hope that it would soon reach a successful conclusion. Both chambers have passed differing bills that would raise an additional $1.4 billion in annual tax revenue and direct O'Malley to cut about $500 million from next year's budget.

"We've spent three weeks, day and night, tugging and pulling and compromising to get a package," said Del. Benjamin S. Barnes (D-Prince George's). "We're going to end up with a package that continues to fund the priorities of education and transportation we campaigned on."

Republican senators said they were ready to call it quits yesterday, however.

"Enough's enough, guys," Sen. E.J. Pipkin (R-Queen Anne's) said after Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr. (D-Calvert) informed the chamber that the Senate was still waiting for the House to pass slots before taking any more formal actions.

A motion by Pipkin to immediately end the session failed 31 to 13, breaking along party lines in the heavily Democratic chamber.

"Everybody's getting a little sleepy and a little edgy," said Sen. Jamie B. Raskin (D-Montgomery). "We're waiting for democracy to work its way through the House."

Miller told his chamber that informal discussions have been taking place between House and Senate fiscal leaders about the pending tax bills.

"It shouldn't be too hard to come to an agreement" on the tax proposals, Miller said.

One amendment added to the House slots bill in committee yesterday would require groups and corporations advocating for or against the referendum to disclose their identities and spending four weeks before the vote. Another would prohibit elected officials from serving on the commission that selects slots locations.

Some of the most protracted discussion took place on a proposed amendment to limit other entertainment offerings by Ocean Downs racetrack if the Worcester facility wins a slots license.

Many elected officials in that area are opposed to the prospect of slots at Ocean Downs, which they say could steal business from nearby Ocean City.

The proposed amendment would prevent the track owner from placing a hotel, a convention center, miniature golf, an arcade or amusement rides at the track or on nearby property. After concerns about whether the proposal was constitutional, the committee put off consideration of the measure until floor debate. It was adopted by voice vote.

Staff writer Ovetta Wiggins contributed to this report.