Monday, October 6, 2008

The Maryland comptroller's office was established to oversee the fiscal affairs of the state and act as a check on the state treasurer. It was never intended to serve as a post from which to campaign nonstop for governor ["Comptroller Warns That Slots Could Hijack National Harbor," Metro, Sept. 27].

Why is it then, with Maryland facing a $432 million budget shortfall for this fiscal year that could balloon to $1 billion by the following year, that Comptroller Peter Franchot (D) is engaged in a relentless campaign against the state's slots referendum -- a measure supported by Gov. Martin O'Malley (D)? It is especially curious that Mr. Franchot has time to be the keynote speaker at every anti-slots rally when Maryland policymakers must make a number of difficult decisions that will affect the lives of almost all Marylanders during the next several months.

Perhaps Mr. Franchot seeks to be the most visible opponent of slots because he is more focused on positioning himself to challenge Mr. O'Malley in the 2010 Democratic Party primary or Lt. Gov. Anthony G. Brown (D) in the 2014 primary than on working to help solve the state's fiscal crisis.

GENE HARRINGTON

Ellicott City