MARYLAND BRIEFING

STATE POLITICS

Slots Foes to Offer Alternative Ballot

Slots opponents plan to present an alternative ballot today for the November referendum to the Maryland State Board of Elections, citing "concerns raised by many across the political spectrum" about what they call misleading language from the secretary of state.

Marylanders United to Stop Slots says the language drafted last week by John P. McDonough misrepresents the proposal to put up to 15,000 slot machines at five sites in the state. McDonough's proposal says that gambling would help fund education but does not offer details about the revenue that would be provided to slots operators and the horse-racing industry.

The alternative proposed by opponents gives more detail, specifying that slots revenue be allocated not only to public education but also the horse-racing industry, lottery operations and slots operators.

-- Lisa Rein

MONTGOMERY COUNTY

Motorcyclist in Crash With Van Dies

A woman whose motorcycle collided with a van last week in Olney has died, Montgomery County police said yesterday.

Cecilia F. Tucker, 62, of Highland died Tuesday night at the Maryland Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore, police said. No charges had been filed.