Franchot rails slots referendum language
By Danny Reiter, PolitickerMD.com ReporterDENVER – Comptroller Peter Franchot (D-Takoma Park) is lambasting the language of November's slots referendum.
"That language is a disgrace, it's one sided, it's biased," Franchot told PolitickerMD.com during a reception at the Denver Botanic Gardens.
Voters will decide on November's ballot if the state constitution should be amended to allow no more than 15,000 slot machine installations at five different locations across the state.
Secretary of State John McDonough published the text of the November slots referendum last week, but has found himself under fire from Marylanders United to Stop Slots – an anti-slot group that says the referendum's language is biased towards gambling interests McDonough once lobbied for. Franchot serves on Marylanders United to Stop Slots steering committee and is a stark opponent of the referendum.
"I thought it gave an unfair advantage for the gambling industry," he said. The "language is all about education," in reference to what the slots revenue will pay for, but nothing about the social damage Franchot feels it will cause.
Franchot added the situation is "more of, 'How do you trust Annapolis?'"
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Slots Language
Franchot is correct. The boy gov waited 2 years to appoint the SoS. Then he had to hire a lobbiest/attorney for the racing/gaming industry. The GA was slick in passing TWO different bills regarding slots. The first was the CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT bill putting it to a vote by the public. THAT is the ONLY one we get to vote on. The SECOND was the "enabling" legislation which halfheartedly spells out just where the money goes. WE DO NOT GET TO VOTE ON THAT issue. The reason for the split in bills was EXACTLY why the boy gov selected the SoS that he did. The people will ONLY see that the question before them states that the money is for schools and school construction. NOT ONE WORD on the split to the owners of the tracks or other venues. NOT ONE word on how much the state will lose GIVING away the licenses for the venues.
WE HAVE BEEN HOODWINKED AGAIN BY OUR LEGISLATURE who did not have the balls to just vote one way or another on the issue. They FAILED in their job. They all need to be voted out.
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